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SENSITIVITY OF CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR TO PROBABILISTIC REWARD: EFFECTS OF A DECREASING‐RATIO LOTTERY SYSTEM ON MATH PERFORMANCE
Author(s) -
Martens Brian K.,
Ardoin Scott P.,
Hilt Alexandra M.,
Lannie Amanda L.,
Panahon Carlos J.,
Wolfe Laurie A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of applied behavior analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1938-3703
pISSN - 0021-8855
DOI - 10.1901/jaba.2002.35-403
Subject(s) - lottery , reinforcement , psychology , probabilistic logic , sensitivity (control systems) , affect (linguistics) , developmental psychology , multiple baseline design , cognitive psychology , social psychology , statistics , mathematics , psychiatry , communication , intervention (counseling) , electronic engineering , engineering
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.