What is “intermittent reinforcement”?

Intermittent reinforcement refers to the process of reinforcing a behavior only some of the time rather than consistently. This approach can be particularly effective because it creates a stronger persistence of the desired behavior. When individuals receive reinforcement occasionally, they may continue to exhibit the behavior for longer periods because they remain uncertain when the next reinforcement will occur. This unpredictability can enhance motivation and engagement in the behavior, making it more likely to occur in the future.

This method is often employed in behavior modification to create resilience and durability in behavior. For example, if a child receives praise for cleaning their room only occasionally, they may feel encouraged to keep cleaning their room because they hope for that praise again.

The other options represent different concepts in behavior reinforcement. Consistently reinforcing a behavior, completely stopping reinforcement, or reinforcing every single occurrence are distinct strategies that do not capture the essence of intermittent reinforcement, which hinges on the variable nature of when the reinforcement is delivered.