William Cope
Eric Thomas
Torsten Galle
Kathryn AshbyLearning, Knowledge and Human Development MOOC’s Updates
Scheduled Reinforcement, Learning & Digital Addiction
I was intrigued by the idea Skinner presented about gambling and the conditioning of the mind by using scheduled reinforcement. Addiction is a reality in both adults and children, especially with the wide use of electronic devices.
There are several types of reinforcement schedules, including:
Continuous reinforcement: Every desired behavior is reinforced.
Fixed ratio (FR): Reinforcement is provided after a fixed number of desired behaviors.
Variable ratio (VR): Reinforcement is provided after a varying number of desired behaviors.
Fixed interval (FI): Reinforcement is provided after a fixed time has elapsed since the last reinforcement.
Variable interval (VI): Reinforcement is provided after a varying time has elapsed since the last reinforcement.
In gambling, variable ratio and variable interval schedules of reinforcement are often used to keep individuals engaged and playing. In slot machines, for instance, the reinforcement (winning) is provided on a variable ratio schedule. This means that the player does not know how many times they need to pull the lever (or press the button) to win, so they continue playing in the hopes of getting the reward.
Similarly, in games like poker or blackjack, the reinforcement (winning) is provided on a variable interval schedule. The player is unsure of when they will win, but the unpredictability keeps them playing and coming back for more.
When reinforcement is stopped, the response starts to decline. This decline can lead to extinction, or a permanent end to the trained response. Fixed scheduling are more prone to extinction than variable scheduling. Variable scheduled are the most resistant to extinction. This makes sense as to why addictions like gambling are so difficult to stop.
The reason this sparks my curiosity is because I am tasked with leading the rollout of our BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program in my primary school. I spent 3 years researching and developing a proposal before my school administration agreed to start the program. One of the key considerations when developing our technology we agreement and our BYOD program was the insights gained from “The Social Dilemma” Netflix Documentary, in which it explores how tech companies use techniques like persuasive technology, which is based on the principles of behavioral psychology, to manipulate users' behavior and keep them engaged on their platforms. The film features interviews with various tech experts who share their insights and experiences in the industry. Gaining a deeper understanding of the foundations of behavioral psychology and the techniques it uses to reinforce behavior is important when considering how to build student agency when using devices, while taking advance of the immense advantages they offer for teaching and learning.
As one might glean from my above comments, I believe the responsibility of the teacher in the behaviorist scheme is critical. I do not believe that trained reinforcement void of consent is helpful. While it might develop the desired short term responses, over time it is likely to cause other undesired psychological problems. The idea of extinction and the problematic behaviors that come from this highlight this point.
Having said that, I do believe that Skinner’s notion of reinforcement is critical to learning. In his development of the learning machine he speaks of the immediate feedback loop. This is important as it allows learner agency to be developed and allows for a form of differentiated learning. Considering this as a core idea, I believe is highly valuable and most applicable to modern times. With the saturation of digital devices and the access to tech platforms his ideas of self paced differentiated learning is more of a reality than ever before. Having said this, I believe, as he stated in the video on the course readings, it is best developed when the program designer is closely connected with the learners as this vested interest and human connection should not be undervalued.
(Sources: Types of scheduled reinforcement
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-schedule-of-reinforcement-2794864#:~:text=Schedules%20of%20reinforcement%20are%20rules%20stating%20which%20instances,be%20used%20as%20a%20part%20of%20operant%20conditioningOpens in a new tab .
“The Social Dilemma” Documentary, a Netflix original.)
Hearing Skinner's description of gambling as an addiction due to variable interval scheduling reminded me of the Netflix documentary 'The Social Dilemma' as well! It is great to hear that you had spent a lot of time researching before rolling out the BYOD program in your school and it seems like an exciting opportunity for your students.
I agree that there is a huge responsibility on the teachers to consider what the desired behaviours are both in the short and long term. I found it interesting that you mentioned 'trained reinforcement void of consent is [not] helpful'. It makes me wonder how students can consent or dissent to being taught and whether their explicit consent is always a requirement. Behaviourism makes it seem like students don't have much of a choice when presented with positive and negative reinforcements based on their actions - but in reality it is more complicated than that.
Considering the role of the student, it is interesting to note another concept in the Skinner excerpt: how students must learn (and/or be taught) to be active in their learning process by knowing what they are learning or what behaviours are being reinforced by teachers so that they can recreate this process for themselves. '[The student] not only knows, he knows that he knows and is reinforced accordingly'.
https://newlearningonline.com/new-learning/chapter-6/supporting-material/skinners-behaviourism
I was intrigued by the idea Skinner presented about gambling and the conditioning of the mind by using scheduled reinforcement. Addiction is a reality in both adults and children, especially with the wide use of electronic devices.
There are several types of reinforcement schedules, including:
Continuous reinforcement: Every desired behavior is reinforced.
Fixed ratio (FR): Reinforcement is provided after a fixed number of desired behaviors.
Variable ratio (VR): Reinforcement is provided after a varying number of desired behaviors.
Fixed interval (FI): Reinforcement is provided after a fixed time has elapsed since the last reinforcement.
Variable interval (VI): Reinforcement is provided after a varying time has elapsed since the last reinforcement.
In gambling, variable ratio and variable interval schedules of reinforcement are often used to keep individuals engaged and playing. In slot machines, for instance, the reinforcement (winning) is provided on a variable ratio schedule. This means that the player does not know how many times they need to pull the lever (or press the button) to win, so they continue playing in the hopes of getting the reward.
Similarly, in games like poker or blackjack, the reinforcement (winning) is provided on a variable interval schedule. The player is unsure of when they will win, but the unpredictability keeps them playing and coming back for more.
Scheduled Reinforcement, Learning & Digital Addiction
I was intrigued by the idea Skinner presented about gambling and the conditioning of the mind by using scheduled reinforcement. Addiction is a reality in both adults and children, especially with the wide use of electronic devices
Skinner's comment about Free will posited that the concept of free-will is an illusion. Skinner was a radical Behaviourist who believes that all human actions was a direct result of previous actions. This assertion is to a reasonable extent, supported by me in the sense that some people will not do certain things unless there is a reward or sanction. Some students do their homework just because it forms part of their requirements and the and the consequences of non-compliance.so I think it is good.