Effects of variability constraints in the form of lag schedules on structure diversity in a virtual block building environment

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2021

First Committee Member

Pinkston, Jonathan

Second Committee Member

Bourret, Jason

Third Committee Member

Zarcone, Jennifer

Abstract

"Variability has been considered a dimension of operant behavior that can be learned (Page & Neuringer, 1985). According to Stokes and Harrison (2002), there are two types of environmental constraints that determine variability in learning, and these must be considered independently when designing environments to promote variability. A task constraint determines how something can be done in order to access reinforcement, whereas a variability constraint determines how differently something must be done in order to access reinforcement. An example of a task constraint in our everyday life is opening a door. Some doors have handles, some have knobs, and some have push bars. The features of different doors are the task constraints, and they alter the topography of behavior, while still maintaining the same function, which is to move through the door. Variability constraints, by contrast, relate to levels or degrees of variation in a task. Consider a door that could be opened by either turning a knob or pressing a sequence of keys on a keypad. Normally, variation in opening doors is free; the knob or keypad could be used in any order. But variability could be constrained by having an individual alternate between the two options or alternate twice and then switch. In order to open the door, the individual’s behavior would have to vary with the imposed limits. Although this is a contrived example, it serves to show how variability constraints can yield variability in behavior. At the same time, doing something differently or in a novel way is a critical feature of many problem-solving skills, so the study of variability constraints is important for understanding problem solving and the origins of novel behavior."

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