Jenny Adams @jennyadams@learningdisability.social

@Hamidarvand

03

One of the side effects of variable ratios is frustration, a dangerous emotion to play with, it varies from mild disappointment to depression/anger/helplessness. Hence kicking the fruit machine.

Of course, I'm only talking about interventions here! The world provides the rewards it does whatever we think about it. So, if a human is rewarded on a variable ratio schedule for being "good" (or "bad"), then that behaviour is likely to be pretty sticky.

@Hamidarvand

02

I am very dubious about using animal studies to "manage" human behaviour though, such does not have a glorious history. Humans, unlike pigeons, require a degree of buy-in and respect that simply reinforcing what the trainer is after doesn't do a good job to provide, I think. So, absolutely no harm in using rewards with humans, but they need to be aware of what's being done to them, I think they need to be informed and consenting.

@Hamidarvand

01

I can only speak as an animal behaviourist, but I think the answer is in the question.

A positive reinforcer by the very nature of it reinforces behaviour. A variable schedule is the most powerful over the longterm because it produces behaviour which is highly resistant to extinction. Hence gambling addictions!

@Hamidarvand VR? Variable Ratio (of reinforcement)? Or something else entirely?

Hi MastoGuys, I'd love to chat. But I'm also hungry. Eat/chat/eat/chat/stare at wall...