MotivationMotivation

Motivation: The desire to exert effort Motivation: The desire to exert effort to perform a particular task.to perform a particular task.

Some background on the underlying Some background on the underlying theory of motivation:theory of motivation:– Reinforcement TheoryReinforcement Theory

Reinforcement TheoryReinforcement Theory

““Behavior is sensitive to its Behavior is sensitive to its consequences.”consequences.”

Law of Effect: Behaviors followed by Law of Effect: Behaviors followed by net positive outcomes will have their net positive outcomes will have their probability of occurrence increase; probability of occurrence increase; behaviors followed by net negative behaviors followed by net negative outcomes will have their probability outcomes will have their probability of occurrence decrease.of occurrence decrease.

Reinforcement TheoryReinforcement Theory

Four Types of ConsequencesFour Types of Consequences

Positive Reinforcement:Positive Reinforcement:

– Behavior followed by the presentation of Behavior followed by the presentation of a positive consequence.a positive consequence.

– Will increase the probability of that Will increase the probability of that behavior occurring again.behavior occurring again.

Reinforcement TheoryReinforcement Theory

PunishmentPunishment

– Behavior followed by the presentation of Behavior followed by the presentation of a negative consequence.a negative consequence.

– Will decrease the probability of that Will decrease the probability of that behavior occurring again.behavior occurring again.

Reinforcement TheoryReinforcement Theory

ExtinctionExtinction

– Behavior followed by taking away a Behavior followed by taking away a positive consequence.positive consequence.

– Will decrease the probability of that Will decrease the probability of that behavior occurring again.behavior occurring again.

Reinforcement TheoryReinforcement Theory

Negative ReinforcementNegative Reinforcement

– Behavior followed by taking away a Behavior followed by taking away a negative consequence.negative consequence.

– Will increase the probability of that Will increase the probability of that behavior occurring again.behavior occurring again.

Example of Reinforcement Example of Reinforcement TheoryTheory

PrepareReport

Correct

Incorrect

Praise

Refrain fromPublic Reprimand

Offer no Praise

Reprimand

PositiveReinforcement

NegativeReinforcement

Extinction

Punishment

Schedules of ReinforcementSchedules of Reinforcement

ContinuousContinuous– Reinforce after every occurrence of the Reinforce after every occurrence of the

behavior. Best for initial training.behavior. Best for initial training. Fixed IntervalFixed Interval

– Reinforce after the passing of a fixed Reinforce after the passing of a fixed period of time.period of time.

– Example: Monthly payExample: Monthly pay

Schedules of ReinforcementSchedules of Reinforcement

Variable IntervalVariable Interval– Reinforce after the passing of a variable Reinforce after the passing of a variable

period of time.period of time.– Example: Bank examiners visit a certain Example: Bank examiners visit a certain

number of times per year, but there is number of times per year, but there is no warning.no warning.

– Example: We will have four pop quizzes Example: We will have four pop quizzes during the semester, but they are not during the semester, but they are not scheduled.scheduled.

Schedules of ReinforcementSchedules of Reinforcement

Fixed RatioFixed Ratio– Reinforce after the occurrence of a fixed Reinforce after the occurrence of a fixed

number of behaviors.number of behaviors.– Example: Commission pay plans, yearly Example: Commission pay plans, yearly

performance bonus.performance bonus. Variable RatioVariable Ratio

– Reinforce after the occurrence of a Reinforce after the occurrence of a variable number of behaviorsvariable number of behaviors

– Vending machine coin returns, slot Vending machine coin returns, slot machines, Tips.machines, Tips.

Which Schedule is Best?Which Schedule is Best?

Most direct link between behavior and Most direct link between behavior and rewards.rewards.

Most stable pattern of performanceMost stable pattern of performance– Wave Effect (Kids at Christmas)Wave Effect (Kids at Christmas)

Paradox – least motivational is most used?Paradox – least motivational is most used?– Why?Why?