This episode Mary Hunter, Behavior Explorer, provides some great learning and advice about Reinforcement Systems. This podcast is a companion to Mary’s presentation at the 2024 ABMA annual conference in 2024 titled “Reinforcement Systems: Building Interconnected behavior chains that lead to improved communication and accelerated teaching”. The episode begins by defining Reinforcement Systems and their practical application. Next Mary gives an in depth breakdown to the four dimensions of Reinforcement Systems: Reinforcer, Delivery System, Bridge, Ready Response. The episode ends with Mary discussing how a reinforcement system can improve communication, accelerate learning, and help problem solve various potential training challenges.

Stay tuned in for Mary’s "Training Tale" about how her horse has taught her care givers how and where to give her tactile reinforcement! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠. To reach Mary and to learn more about Behavior Explorer and PORTL visit her websites https://behaviorexplorer.com/ and https://stalecheerios.com/

4:45 Introduction to Mary Hunter

6:30 PORTL

10:25 Definition of Reinforcement Systems

18:40 The Dimensions of a Reinforcement System: Reinforcer, Delivery System, Bridge, Ready Response

44:55 How can teaching a Reinforcement System increase communication and accelerate learning to avoid accidentally reinforced behaviors.

55:50 What challenges can be problem solved with Reinforcement Systems

1:02:25 “Training Tales”

This episode Sue Pasquine, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and an ABMA Board Member, helps to define and break down “Schedules of Reinforcement”. This episode is Part 2 of a two part series breaking down the most commonly heard and used schedules of reinforcement. The episode aims to break down and discuss the four main types of intermittent reinforcement schedules. Sue explains and gives examples of Fixed Ratio (FR), Fixed Interval (FI), Variable Ratio (VR), and Variable Interval (VI) Schedules. To end the episode, we discuss two “flavors” of schedules of reinforcement which are not found in the literature but are used in practice. These “twists” to traditional reinforcement schedules include Variable Ratio of Reinforcement Variety (VRRV) and a continuous schedule that utilizes secondary reinforcers. Stay tuned in for Sue’s "Training Tale" about reimagining the zoo’s macaw flight and how they implemented a variable schedule od reinforcement. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠. To learn more about the ABMA visit: https://www.theabma.org/

6:50 Overview of the four main types of intermittent schedules of reinforcement

9:15 Fixed Ratio Schedule (FR)

17:35 Fixed Interval Schedule (FI)

22:55 Variable Ratio Schedule (VR)

33:50 Variable Interval Schedule (VI)

40:00 “Flavor” of Schedule of Reinforcement: Variable Ratio with Reinforcement Variety (VRRV)

45:45 “Flavor” of Schedule of Reinforcement: Continuous Schedule Utilizing Secondary Reinforcers

58:30 “Training Tales”

This episode Sue Pasquine, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and an ABMA Board Member, helps to define and break down “Schedules of Reinforcement”. This episode is Part 1 of a two part series breaking down the most commonly heard and used schedules of reinforcement. The episode starts with definitions of schedules of reinforcement and the two categories nonintermittent and intermittent. Next, continuous reinforcement is discussed. Continuous is the best schedule to utilize when teaching a new item. Sue then provides some learning into non-intermittent schedules of reinforcement. The importance of knowing what schedules of reinforcement and consistency across team members was discussed. Sue also discusses how schedules come into play when shaping a new behavior. The discussion ends with advice for transitioning from a continuous reinforcement schedule to an intermittent schedule. Stay tuned in for Sue’s "Training Tale" about the power of asking why something is done and the benefits of well conditioned bridging.For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠ and to reach Sue email.

3:55 Introduction to Sue Pasquine

9:45 Definition of Schedules of Reinforcements

12:10 Definition of Non-Intermittent schedules and Continuous Reinforcement

17:20 Definition of Intermittent schedules

25:55 The importance of knowing what schedule we are using and that a team is using the same schedule in the same situations

28:20 How schedules come into play when shaping a new behavior

33:50 Advice for moving from a continuos schedule to an intermittent schedule

41:00 “Training Tales”