When your child refuses to tidy up their toys, yanks their sibling’s hair, or has a meltdown, the last thing you might feel like doing is rewarding their behavior. We completely understand. However, reinforcing positive behavior when it occurs — which may involve giving a reward — can significantly increase the chances of that behavior happening again. This principle stems from operant conditioning, a learning framework where behaviors are shaped and modified based on their consequences. So, what does this mean for you as a parent? By using reinforcement, you can promote behaviors you would like your child to adopt, such as cleaning up their toys and avoiding hair-pulling. One particularly effective form of reinforcement is known as intermittent reinforcement.
Once a new behavior is established, parents may choose to implement partial or intermittent reinforcement to further solidify that behavior. Instead of providing reinforcement every single time, intermittent reinforcement means the desired behavior is rewarded sporadically.
What is Intermittent Reinforcement?
Intermittent reinforcement refers to a conditioning schedule where a reward or consequence is delivered irregularly for the desired behavior. This differs from continuous reinforcement, where a child receives a reward every time they exhibit the desired behavior. For instance, if a child receives an extra hour of screen time each time they finish their math homework, that’s continuous reinforcement. In contrast, on an intermittent reinforcement schedule, they would receive that screen time only occasionally, making it unpredictable.
What Does an Intermittent Reinforcement Schedule Look Like?
In an intermittent reinforcement schedule, the time intervals between rewards vary. Although the reward remains the same (e.g., an hour of screen time for completing homework), the periods of time between rewards can be random, ranging from one to five days or two to four hours. Because your child cannot predict when the reward will come, they are more likely to maintain the desired behavior (like completing their homework).
Why Does This Method Work?
Consider this: if you consistently received a reward (like screen time) every time you accomplished something, but then the rewards stopped, you’d likely revert to your old habits. However, if you knew that a reward would eventually come, a few instances of not receiving it wouldn’t dissuade you from continuing your behavior. This illustrates why intermittent reinforcement can result in more sustained behavior over time compared to continuous reinforcement; the anticipation of a reward encourages persistence.
Intermittent reinforcement can be categorized into four types, divided into two groups: interval (time-based) and ratio (response-based), and further into fixed or variable:
- Fixed Interval Schedule: Reward is given after a set amount of time.
- Fixed Ratio Schedule: Reward follows a specific number of responses.
- Variable Interval Schedule: Reward is given after an unpredictable amount of time.
- Variable Ratio Schedule: Reward is given after a random number of responses.
Examples of Intermittent Reinforcement
A relatable analogy is visiting an arcade. Your child doesn’t win every game or the same number of tickets each time. The inconsistent nature of winning tickets creates excitement, thanks to a boost in dopamine.
Another example is fishing. You might take your child to the same spot daily, but the catch will vary. Past successes keep you returning, hoping for a big haul.
From a parenting perspective, consider a child who throws tantrums in public. If a parent consistently gives a toy every time this occurs, that’s continuous reinforcement. If they only discipline sporadically, that’s intermittent reinforcement.
Examples for Different Age Groups:
Ages 4-7:
Your child is using their iPad. When you ask them to put it away, they request five more minutes, and you grant it. The next time, you say no, leading to a pout.
During their birthday week, you allow extra dessert, but when they ask for more later, you deny them, causing disappointment.
Ages 8-10:
After packing a healthy lunch, your child requests to swap a healthy item for a snack. You initially refuse, but later, you allow the swap.
On errands, your child asks to use your phone. You give it to them one time, but the next, you say no, and they throw a tantrum.
Your child is used to sleeping with you and your partner. One night you make them sleep in their own bed. They start asking you to stay every night but you consistently say no.
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Summary:
Intermittent reinforcement is a powerful tool in parenting that can help shape and maintain desired behaviors by offering rewards sporadically rather than consistently. This method not only keeps children engaged but also enhances their likelihood of repeating positive actions. By understanding how to effectively implement intermittent reinforcement, parents can foster a more cooperative and positive environment at home.