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

Brian K. Martens; Scott P. Ardoin; Alexandra M. Hilt; Amanda L. Lannie; Carlos J. Panahon; Laurie A. Wolfe

doi:10.1901/jaba.2002.35-403

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

Brian K. Martens, Scott P. Ardoin, Alexandra M. Hilt, Amanda L. Lannie, Carlos J. Panahon, Laurie A. Wolfe

Department of Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

10 Scopus citations

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.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	403-406
Number of pages	4
Journal	Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
Volume	35
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2002.35-403
State	Published - 2002

Keywords

Academic behavior
Lottery systems
Probabilistic reward

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Philosophy
Sociology and Political Science
Applied Psychology

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10.1901/jaba.2002.35-403

Cite this

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AU - Wolfe, Laurie A.

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

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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