XiXiDu comments on Basics of Animal Reinforcement - Less Wrong

45 Post author: Yvain 05 July 2011 08:42PM

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Tags: behaviorism psychology motivation

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Comment author: XiXiDu 06 July 2011 05:15:39PM 0 points [-]

Put a pigeon in a box on variable interval schedule, and you'll get constant lever presses and good resistance to extinction.

Put a pigeon in a box with a variable ratio schedule and you get a situation one of my professors unscientifically but accurately described as "pure evil". The pigeon will become obsessed with pecking as much as possible, and really you can stop giving rewards at all after a while and the pigeon will never wise up.

Absolutely fascinating! I have never heard of this before. Thanks.

Comment author: JackEmpty 06 July 2011 05:48:56PM 5 points [-]

You've proably been in a skinner box though.

"Instant win" prizes on fast food and soft drinks.

WoW drop tables. Or basically any game where a prize or reward for victory is not guaranteed.

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