After reading the various definitions which one of the above do you think is the most commonly used reinforcement schedule and why?

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Which is the most common?
There is some interesting points here that we need to think about as we examine the issue of reinforcement. Take a look at this research:
In operant conditioning, schedules of reinforcement are an important component of the learning process. When and how often we reinforce a behavior can have a dramatic impact on the strength and rate of the response. Certain schedules of reinforcement may be more effective in specific situations. There are two types of reinforcement schedules:
1. Continuous Reinforcement
In continuous reinforcement, the desired behavior is reinforced every single time it occurs. Generally, this schedule is best used during the initial stages of learning in order to create a strong association between the behavior and the response. Once the response if firmly attached, reinforcement is usually switched to a partial reinforcement schedule.
2. Partial Reinforcement
In partial reinforcement, the response is reinforced only part of the time. Learned behaviors are acquired more slowly with partial reinforcement, but the response is more resistant to extinction. There are four schedules of partial reinforcement:
Fixed-ratio schedules are those where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses. This schedule produces a high, steady rate of responding with only a brief pause after the delivery of the reinforcer.
Variable-ratio schedules occur when a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses. This schedule creates a high steady rate of responding. Gambling and lottery games are good examples of a reward based on a variable ratio schedule.
Fixed-interval schedules are those where the first response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed. This schedule causes high amounts of responding near the end of the interval, but much slower responding immediately after the delivery of the reinforcer.
Variable-interval schedules occur when a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed. This schedule produces a slow, steady rate of response. http://psychology.about.com/od/behavioralpsychology/a/schedules.htm
After reading the various definitions which one of the above do you think is the most commonly used reinforcement schedule and why?

Life Span Development and Personality Paper

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Life Span Development and Personality Paper
· Select a famous individual from the 20th or 21st centuries. Be sure to obtain faculty approval for your selection prior to beginning this assignment. Conduct research concerning the background of your selected individual to determine what forces have impacted his or her life from the viewpoint of developmental psychology.
· Based on your research, prepare a 1,050 to 1,400-word paper in which you address the following items:
· Distinguish between the influences of heredity and environment on his/her psychological development. Be sure to specify which area of psychological development (moral, emotional, etc.).
· What family issues and/or social support systems may have influenced their developmental growth and adjustment?
· Select two different theories of personality and apply them to your selected figure, and answer the following question: How does each theory differ in terms of how it explains the individual’s unique patterns or traits?
· Explain which theoretical approach you believe best explains the individual’s behaviors and achievements. Make sure to explain why you made this choice.

Discuss some negative outcomes for adopted children, as presented in the research.

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CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

  1. Discuss some
    negative outcomes for adopted children, as presented in the research. Do
    you think that all adoptees have more negative outcomes than non-adopted
    children? Explain your answer.
  2. Discuss ways
    in which genetic abnormalities can affect the course of a child’s
    development. How might adaptive behaviors be affected? How might genetic
    abnormalities affect a child in terms of heredity-environment
    correlations?
  3. Discuss the
    prenatal surgical procedure, as presented in the reading assignment “The
    Smallest Patient.” Do you think that there could be a negative side to
    saving babies who have defects? Explain your answer.
  4. Discuss
    postpartum depression. How does it compare to the “baby blues”? How might
    postpartum depression affect the parent-child relationship?
  5. Discuss some
    positive and negative outcomes of organized sports as a means of keeping
    children active. Do you think that organized sports are appropriate for
    children? Explain your answer.
  6. Discuss how
    the developmental milestone of learning to crawl is subject to individual
    differences in infants. What are some ways in which parents can help their
    child’s crawling skills? What are some things to avoid?
  7. Discuss some
    influences on children’s gender development. How do parents and siblings
    influence gender development? How does the use of gender stereotypes
    influence development? How do toys effect the construction of gender
    identities?
  8. Discuss the
    difference between self-concept and self-esteem. What are some components
    of self-concept, and how is each related to real-world concepts?

Compare and contrast Hume and Descartes on the role and significance of skepticism for philosophy as it is employed and discussed in the Meditations and the Enquiry

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PSYCHOLOGY

DESCARTES and HUME
Value: 40%Instructions: Write an essay of approximately 2000 words on one of the following topics:
1. Compare and contrast Hume and Descartes on the role and significance of skepticism for philosophy as it is employed and discussed in the Meditations and the Enquiry. Is one position/approach superior to the other? Give reasons why or why not.
2. David Hume offers both “sceptical doubts concerning the understanding” and a “sceptical solution” to those doubts. Summarize and critically evaluate Hume’s reasoning/position in either, or both, of these enterprises.
3. Compare and contrast Descartes and Hume on the source, nature and avoidability of human error. Then, critically evaluate both positions.
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4. Summarize and critically evaluate Hume’s discussion of miracles. (Note: There will also be a similar question on the final exam. If you choose to write your essay on this topic you will be disqualified from answering that question on the final exam.)
5. Descartes says we are not “in” our bodies simply in the way a sailor is “in” a ship he/she is sailing. Summarize and critically evaluate the reasoning that leads him to say this.
6. A topic of your own choosing provided it is cleared in advance with the instructor.
The Philosophical Essay: There are many different ways one can write a philosophical essay. It is always important, however, to make it clear to the reader (and to yourself) when one is summarizing a view or position and when one is critically evaluating a position. Both elements are needed in a good essay. The amount of space dedicated to critical evaluation should never be less than 25%, and rarely more than 60% (depending upon how complex the summary is).
This is not a research essay. Feel free to use outside or secondary sources, though you need not. But make sure they are fully cited when relied upon, including author, title, date, and page (for internet sources, I need the URL down to the page).
All essays must be submitted to turnitin.com, with the receipt attached to the hard copy of the essay submitted to me