Researchers conducted a pair of studies to explore how rewards influence motivation and weight loss for those who are overweight or obese.For Study 1, 20 overweight and 20 average-weight adults were invited to play a computer game consisting of a simple matching task in which participants earned a reward for getting multiple correct responses. Participants were allowed to select their own reward: Either $1.00 or a 200-calorie vending machine snack (valued at $1.00), such as a candy bar or bag of chips. For the first trial, participants were rewarded on an average of three correct responses (AVG3). Participants were then asked to choose between the food and monetary rewards. When a food reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward doubled, but when a monetary reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward remained the same (Figure 1). Results indicated that although there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to baseline self-reporting of hunger prior to the start of the computer tasks, overweight participants were five times more likely to choose the food rewards than average-weight participants.Figure 1 Study 1 reward scheduleFor Study 2, obese participants were recruited for a 16-week weight-loss study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: A control group (n = 32) or an experimental group (n = 35). Control participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins only. Experimental participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins but also earned or lost money (put into an account and paid at the end of the study) based on their weigh-in goal, calculated each week based on current body mass index (BMI), age, and sex. Those who reached their weekly weight goal earned $10; for each additional pound lost, participants earned another $10, up to $50/week. Participants in the experimental group who did not meet or exceed their weekly weight goal had $20 deducted from their accounts. No significant differences were found in baseline variables for either group; however, members of the control group lost an average of 5.9 pounds, whereas members of the experimental group lost an average of 18.1 pounds.B. E. Saelens and L. H. Epstein ©1996 Elsevier B.V. Question 8Which of the following most accurately reflects the reinforcement schedules used by Study 1 and the experimental group in Study 2, respectively?A.Variable ratio; variable intervalB.Variable ratio; fixed intervalC.Fixed ratio; variable intervalD.Fixed ratio; fixed interval
Question
Researchers conducted a pair of studies to explore how rewards influence motivation and weight loss for those who are overweight or obese.For Study 1, 20 overweight and 20 average-weight adults were invited to play a computer game consisting of a simple matching task in which participants earned a reward for getting multiple correct responses. Participants were allowed to select their own reward: Either 1.00), such as a candy bar or bag of chips. For the first trial, participants were rewarded on an average of three correct responses (AVG3). Participants were then asked to choose between the food and monetary rewards. When a food reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward doubled, but when a monetary reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward remained the same (Figure 1). Results indicated that although there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to baseline self-reporting of hunger prior to the start of the computer tasks, overweight participants were five times more likely to choose the food rewards than average-weight participants.Figure 1 Study 1 reward scheduleFor Study 2, obese participants were recruited for a 16-week weight-loss study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: A control group (n = 32) or an experimental group (n = 35). Control participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins only. Experimental participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins but also earned or lost money (put into an account and paid at the end of the study) based on their weigh-in goal, calculated each week based on current body mass index (BMI), age, and sex. Those who reached their weekly weight goal earned 10, up to 20 deducted from their accounts. No significant differences were found in baseline variables for either group; however, members of the control group lost an average of 5.9 pounds, whereas members of the experimental group lost an average of 18.1 pounds.B. E. Saelens and L. H. Epstein ©1996 Elsevier B.V. Question 8Which of the following most accurately reflects the reinforcement schedules used by Study 1 and the experimental group in Study 2, respectively?A.Variable ratio; variable intervalB.Variable ratio; fixed intervalC.Fixed ratio; variable intervalD.Fixed ratio; fixed interval
Solution
The reinforcement schedules used by Study 1 and the experimental group in Study 2 most accurately reflect option D: Fixed ratio; fixed interval.
In Study 1, the reward was given after a fixed number of correct responses (a fixed ratio). If the participant chose the food reward, the number of correct responses required to earn the next reward doubled, but it was still a fixed ratio (e.g., 3 correct responses, then 6, then 12, etc.).
In Study 2, the experimental group was rewarded or penalized on a weekly basis (a fixed interval), regardless of how many pounds they lost or gained during that week. The reward or penalty was not contingent on the number of pounds lost or gained, but on whether the participant met their weight goal for the week.
Similar Questions
For Study 2, obese participants were recruited for a 16-week weight-loss study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: A control group (n = 32) or an experimental group (n = 35). Control participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins only. Experimental participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins but also earned or lost money (put into an account and paid at the end of the study) based on their weigh-in goal, calculated each week based on current body mass index (BMI), age, and sex. Those who reached their weekly weight goal earned $10; for each additional pound lost, participants earned another $10, up to $50/week. Participants in the experimental group who did not meet or exceed their weekly weight goal had $20 deducted from their accounts. No significant differences were found in baseline variables for either group; however, members of the control group lost an average of 5.9 pounds, whereas members of the experimental group lost an average of 18.1 pounds.B. E. Saelens and L. H. Epstein ©1996 Elsevier B.V. Question 7The experimental group in Study 2 was subjected to:A.positive reinforcement and negative punishment.B.negative reinforcement and positive punishment.C.positive reinforcement and positive punishment.D.positive and negative reinforcement.
One major problem with extrinsic rewards is that they lose their value over time, resulting in decreased motivation.Group of answer choicesFalseTrue
Which term describes what happens when audience members weigh the level of reward they expect from a given medium against how much effort they must make to secure that reward?Multiple Choicethe fraction of selectionthe platform preferencethe expectation of rewardthe effort required
Of the following individuals, whose behavior is best explained using the arousal approach to motivation?Multiple ChoiceArtie's, who goes for bungee jumping every weekendBarry's, who buys an expensive watch he cannot resistCallista's, who studies long hours to get good gradesBrooke's, who munches on snacks in between meals
What are the 2 categories of rewards in extrinsic motivation?
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