What is the effect of intermittent reinforcement on behavior?

Intermittent reinforcement refers to the practice of reinforcing a behavior only some of the time, rather than continuously. This type of reinforcement is particularly effective in establishing strong, persistent behaviors. The key reason why it makes behavior more resistant to extinction is that individuals or animals that have been intermittently reinforced are less likely to stop the behavior when reinforcement is no longer provided. This is because the unpredictability of the reinforcement schedule leads to a higher level of persistence, as individuals may continue to engage in the behavior in hopes of receiving the reward.

Research shows that behaviors acquired through intermittent reinforcement tend to be more durable over time compared to those reinforced continuously. For instance, gambling is a classic example where players are intermittently rewarded, which maintains their engagement despite long periods without a win. This helps to highlight why intermittent reinforcement is powerful in influencing and maintaining behavior.