Reinforcement Schedules and Behavior: Sniffy the Virtual Rat Study

This report details an experiment using Sniffy, a virtual rat, to observe behavioral changes across four reinforcement schedules: Fixed Ratio (FR6), Variable Ratio (VR8), Fixed Interval (FI8), and Variable Interval (VI8). The experiment simulates applying these schedules to client attendance at a gym in Brighton, aiming to counteract a decline in attendance after the holiday season. The virtual rat was trained in a Skinner box, and its behavior was recorded to determine the most effective reinforcement strategy. The results indicated that a Variable Ratio 8 schedule was the most successful in motivating attendance. The report includes detailed procedures, data collection, and a discussion comparing the outcomes of each schedule, ultimately concluding that VR8 is the optimal approach for increasing gym client attendance with fewer rewards.

Running head: EXPERIMENT OF SNIFFY THE VIRTUAL RAT
1
Experiment of Sniffy the virtual Rat.
Student name
Student number
Course name.

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Table of Contents
Abstract;......................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Method........................................................................................................................................................4
Subject;....................................................................................................................................................4
Apparatus;...............................................................................................................................................4
Participants;.............................................................................................................................................4
Procedure;...............................................................................................................................................5
RESULTS.....................................................................................................................................................27
Discussion..................................................................................................................................................33
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................33

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Abstract;
The report is about Sniff virtual rat an experiment carried out in the laboratory with an aim of
observing its behavior changes, pattern of responses experienced in different four reinforcement
schedule which include; Fixed ratio (FR6), Variable Ratio(VR8),Fixed Interval(FI8) and
Variable Interval(Vi8).
In the experiment, I trained the spiffy virtual rat in different schedules symbolizing the
attendance of clients in certain gym located in the center of Brighton. The number of clients
attending the gym has been high but ended up decreasing after charismas , thus need to bring
them back through rewarding their continuous attendant .To implement this method I trained
virtual ‘rat’ enclosed it on a press chamber then recorded its behavior changes on behalf of
clients so that the best response made could be applied in the gym.
By the end of the experiment I concluded schedule 2 Variable Ratio 8 to be used in the gym
while training clients as it seemed to mobilize many attendee.
Introduction.
The purpose of this experiment was to compare the pattern f responses up with the appropriate
strategy of campaigning against decline of attendee in a certain gym. However I developed the
idea of rewarding regular clients to mobilize and motivate them as they seemed to have lost hope
of the outcome they needed.
To effect this, I opted to train virtual rat in an enclosed skinner box (developed by B.F Skinner)
within four reinforced schedules so as to observe its behavior pattern changes in each schedule.
I prepared the four schedules with rewards as follows; Schedule 1, fixed ratio for every six
responses of client visit where the rat is modeled by six continuous press for one food;
schedule 2,variable ratio reward given for average of eight responses which was varying from 1-
16 responses in random sequence to reducepredictable results imply that 8 client gym visit earns
a reward through modelling the rat with food;Schedule 3,Fixed interval rewarded for first
respnses made 8 time units after last successful response,implying reward for the first gym visit

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in 8 days after last visit ,stimulation was set as 8 seconds; Schedule 4,variable interval rewarded
to first respnses made per varible time since last responses averaging 8 time units implying
reward on first visit within 8 days varying frm 1-16 days since last gym visit, also stimulatin was
set to 8seconds
Analyzing the behavior of the animal I was able to distinguish the appropriate schedule with the
best outcome of rewarding gym clients so that their attendee number can increase.
Method
Subject;
I used the Spiffy virtual rat to carry out the experiment to observe its responses in the four
different schedule reinforced in various ways.
Apparatus;
For the experiment to succeed, computer was used to run the spiffy software .I also trained a
sample spiffy of virtual rat to press the lever so as to acquire food more so my computer desktop
was up to standard level with monitor, keyboard and mouse.
However in the software the spiffy white rat lived in enclosed operant conditioning chamber
which consisted of source of light, speaker which produced certain tone, a lever, foods tray
pellets which was portable for easier movement if need be .All these equipments were set on the
same wall, although there were other three blank wall, the bottom surface of the cage comprised
electric shocks.
More so the software also comprised windows which portrayed operant association learned by
the spiffy example; food sound, bar sound also anther for cumulative recording.
I used Microsoft office word 2007 to capture and record data of the spiffy responses and
behavior changes after been reinforced in each schedule in table below.
Participants;
During this experiment the data was collected though observing behavior changes of the rat after
been reinforced in each schedule. Among the parties involved were :

EXPERIMENT OF SNIFFY THE VIRTUAL RAT. 5
1. First year university students.
2. The Spiffy virtual rat.
Procedure;
Below shows the various 5 steps that I used while carrying out the experiment.
Step 1:switching on the computer.
After Switching on the computer, I started by downloading a software called ‘Spiffy’ the virtual
rat’ and installed it.
Step 2.Running of spiffy software.
After successful installation of the software I stared it by double clicking the sniffy software
icon that appeared on the desktop.
Step 3:start of experiment
To start experiment process using the tool I selected the experiment menu ,then design operant
conditioning menu .

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Step 4:Training the rat.
In this stage I trained the rat n one schedule on how to press the lever so as to obtain food from
the pallets. This portrayed the behaviors meant to be observed after every response of
reinforcement.

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STEP 5:Training in the four schedules.
After training I decided to change the rules of obtaining the food from the pallets so that the
spiffy virtual rat can experience all the four schedules example; (FR6,VR8,FI8 and VI8)
while was still observing its behavior changes and pattern till when it settles. I went ahead by
setting required parameters so as to start the experiment as in the figures below.
i. Schedule 1:Fixed Ratio 6

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Schedule 2: Variable Ratio8