Effects of a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule with changing criteria on exercise in obese and nonobese boys.
The effects of a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement on pedaling a a stationary exercise bicycle were examined. Three obese and three nonobese 11-year-old boys were individually tested five times weekly for approximately 12 weeks. A changing-criterion design was used in which each successive criterion was increased over mean performance rate in the previous phase by approximately 15%. The contingencies of the successive criteria resulted in systematic increases in rate of exercise for all children. Final variable-ratio rates were higher than those under fixed ratios found in previous research, with rates for 2 of the 3 obese boys approximating those of the nonobese.
De Luca
R V
RV
Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Holborn
S W
SW
D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012107:Research Design; D013997:Time Factors; D014040:Token Economy