When your child refuses to tidy up their toys, pulls their sibling’s hair, or throws a tantrum, the idea of offering a reward can feel counterintuitive. We totally get it. Yet, reinforcing positive behavior when it does occur—perhaps through a reward—can significantly increase the chances of it happening again. This approach is rooted in operant conditioning, a learning method where behaviors are modified based on their consequences. So, what does this mean for you as a parent? Utilizing reinforcement can promote the behaviors you want your child to adopt, such as cleaning up their toys and avoiding hair-pulling. One effective strategy for encouraging and motivating your child—without leading to conflict—is intermittent reinforcement.
Once a new behavior has been established, parents can shift to partial or intermittent reinforcement to enhance that behavior further. Instead of rewarding the behavior every single time, intermittent reinforcement means that the desired behavior is reinforced only part of the time.
What is Intermittent Reinforcement?
Intermittent reinforcement is a conditioning schedule where a reward or punishment is delivered sporadically for the desired behavior. This differs from continuous reinforcement, where a child receives a reward every time the desired action is performed. For example, in a continuous reinforcement scenario, a child might get an extra hour of screen time each time they finish their math homework. In contrast, on an intermittent reinforcement schedule, the child would receive screen time after completing their homework, but only occasionally and unpredictably.
What is an Intermittent Reinforcement Schedule?
An intermittent reinforcement schedule involves varying amounts of time between reinforcements. The nature of the reinforcement (like an hour of screen time for completing homework) remains consistent, but the timing changes randomly. Each interval could range from one to five days or from two to four hours. Because your child cannot predict when the reward will be given, they are more likely to consistently complete their homework.
Why Does This Work?
Consider this: if you always received your desired reward (like screen time) every time you did something, and then that suddenly stopped, you’d likely revert to your old behaviors. Using the previous example, if a child stops finishing their homework because they aren’t getting rewarded every time, they might not engage in the behavior at all. However, if they know there’s a chance of receiving the reward periodically, they are more likely to maintain the desired behavior, as the anticipation keeps them motivated.
This explains why intermittent reinforcement can lead to more enduring behavior patterns than continuous reinforcement, which reinforces a behavior every time. The thrill of potentially receiving something we want can be incredibly motivating.
There are four types of schedules for intermittent reinforcement, categorized into two groups: interval (time elapsed) and ratio (number of responses). These are further divided into fixed or variable categories:
- Fixed Interval Schedule: A response is rewarded after a set period.
- Fixed Ratio Schedule: A reward follows a specific number of actions.
- Variable Interval Schedule: A response is rewarded after a random amount of time has elapsed.
- Variable Ratio Schedule: A response is rewarded after a random number of actions.
Examples of Intermittent Reinforcement
A relatable analogy for intermittent reinforcement is going to an arcade. Your child won’t win every game or the same amount of tickets each time, which creates excitement and anticipation. Another example is fishing; while you might go to the same spot daily, the number of fish caught will vary, but past successes keep you coming back.
From a parenting perspective, consider how you might sporadically discipline a child who throws tantrums. If you consistently give them a toy every time they misbehave, that would be continuous reinforcement. However, if you only discipline them occasionally, the reinforcement becomes intermittent.
4 to 7-Year-Old Examples:
- Your child is engrossed in their iPad. When you tell them to stop, they plead for five more minutes. You relent this time, but the next night when they ask again, you firmly say no. They’re upset but learn from the inconsistency.
- During your child’s birthday week, they enjoy extra dessert. The following week, when they ask for more, you remind them that it was a special occasion, leading to their disappointment.
8 to 10-Year-Old Examples:
- After making a healthy lunch, your child asks to replace an item with a snack. You say no, and they ignore the healthy item. A week later, you finally allow them to swap out one item.
- While running errands, your child requests your phone. You let them use it, but the next time you say no; they throw a tantrum.
- Your child typically sleeps with you and your spouse. One night, you insist they stay in their own bed. Each subsequent night they ask again, but you continue to say no.
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Summary
Intermittent reinforcement is a powerful tool in parenting, promoting desired behaviors through sporadic rewards. By understanding and applying this method, parents can foster positive actions in their children while creating a motivating environment.