What is intermittent reinforcement and how does it affect us?

Even though we don’t always realize it, our behavior is conditioned by circumstances environmental. The behaviors we repeat are usually rewarded or encouraged in some way, while those we avoid are usually penalized or punished. These positive or negative contingencies are sometimes subtle and we do not perceive them, but they have great influence. Among them, one of the most powerful is intermittent reinforcement.

This type of dynamic mediates many addictions (for example, gambling addiction), but also in our personal relationships, our work performance or our consumption habits. And it is that It is well known by companies the effect that receiving rewards discontinuously has on the brain. If you want to know more about it, we invite you to continue reading.

Intermittent reinforcement encourages the repetition of certain behaviors to maintain them in the long term.

Reinforcements and punishments for behavior modification

To understand intermittent reinforcement we must refer to BF Skinner’s work on behaviorism. This current postulates that behavior is controlled by environmental contingencies; and therefore, It is possible to modify behavior by applying reinforcements or punishments.

Reinforcements are those that constitute a positive consequence for the person and, therefore, cause the emitted behavior to be repeated and maintained. They can be of two types:

Positive reinforcements: a prize or reward is provided as a result of the conduct issued. For example, when they praise us or thank us for a job well done. Negative reinforcements: an aversive or unpleasant stimulus is removed after issuing the behavior. For example, if in a company the employees who achieve better sales are free to go to work on Friday afternoons.

In the case of punishment, the aim is to reduce or eliminate a specific behavior. Thus, positive punishment can occur when we give an unpleasant stimulus (for example, when we scold a child for her bad behavior). Or a negative punishment can also occur when we remove a pleasant stimulus (for example, when points are taken from our license for committing a traffic violation).

Intermittent reinforcement

Now, reinforcement can be applied in different ways and following different programs. Continuous reinforcement occurs when the reward is obtained whenever the desired behavior is emitted. For his part, Intermittent reinforcement occurs when we receive the reward only on some occasions after having issued the behavior, and in others not.

At first glance it might seem that this dynamic would make us lose interest. After all, seeing that we don’t receive the prize, we might decide to stop trying. However, the opposite occurs: We can become obsessed and keep repeating the behavior with much more impetus and interest. that if we always received the prize. In fact, intermittent reinforcement is one of the most effective ways to maintain a behavior over the long term.

How does intermittent reinforcement affect us on a daily basis?

In short, we can say that intermittent reinforcement is that which is delivered inconsistently and occasionally, and this is what makes it so addictive. Continuous reinforcement, which we obtain every time we emit the behavior, usually ends up saturating and losing interest.

If we are praised at work every day, those words begin to sound empty and stop being reinforcing. Likewise, if we reward a child with chocolate every time he cleans up his room, he will end up hating it and it will lose its effect.

Instead, When reinforcement is delivered intermittently it generates expectation, desire and a certain degree of anxiety that leads us to make an effort and stay alert to be able to get that long-awaited prize that we had and want to get again.

This type of reinforcement programs They are present in many everyday situationsbut here are some examples:

When companies propose performance bonuses and sales incentives for their workers.The slot machineswhich can deliver a profit, but in most cases they do not.Social networkslike TikTok, show some very specific, striking and entertaining videos, among many others that the user does not like so much.In personal relationships It is also frequently used, especially in the upbringing of minors. But also among adults; for example, when we give words of gratitude or recognition to our loved ones.

There are relationships in which one partner uses intermittent reinforcement to control the other.

Using intermittent reinforcement can be very useful if done in a healthy and conscious way. For example, it can help motivate employees, instill good habits in children, and make others feel valuable. However, also can cause addictions and emotional dependency.

The search for that reinforcement that only appears occasionally can lead us to squander our savings on gambling or to get hooked on a destructive relationship. In fact, those bonds in which the other person sometimes “gives us the moon” and other times treats us with coldness and indifference They are especially difficult to abandon; precisely because of that expectation that the reinforcement will return at any moment.

Thus, it is important and convenient to understand what dynamics are moving us and why we do what we do. This way we can take some distance and decide what is most convenient for us.

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