Sensitivity of children's behavior to probabilistic reward: effects of a decreasing-ratio lottery system on math performance.

Full Abstract

Probabilistic reward has been shown to affect children's choice behavior in game-like activities. We examined the effects of a lottery system containing progressively lower exchange ratios on children's completion of math problems. Two of the 3 children completed problems above baseline levels until the chance of exchange dropped to 25%. This study describes a potentially useful method for examining reinforcement schedules in applied settings and extends previous research on probabilities of reinforcement.

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Author information

Author/s: Martens, Brian K (BK); Ardoin, Scott P (SP); Hilt, Alexandra M (AM); Lannie, Amanda L (AL); Panahon, Carlos J (CJ); Wolfe, Laurie A (LA);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, New York 13244-2340, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of applied behavior analysis (J Appl Behav Anal), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-; vol 35 (issue 4) : pp 403-6

Dates: Created 2003/01/30; Completed 2003/05/01; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12555911, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Achievement
Behavior Therapy - methods
Child
Choice Behavior
Female

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