Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

83: Schedules of Reinforcement - Part 1 with Sue Pasquine, ZooTampa at Lowry Park

September 11, 2026·49 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

This episode Sue Pasquine, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and an ABMA Board Member, helps to define and break down “Schedules of Reinforcement”. This episode is Part 1 of a two part series breaking down the most commonly heard and used schedules of reinforcement. The episode starts with definitions of schedules of reinforcement and the two categories nonintermittent and intermittent.  Next, continuous reinforcement is discussed.  Continuous is the best schedule to utilize when teaching a new item. Sue then provides some learning into non-intermittent schedules of reinforcement. The importance of knowing what schedules of reinforcement and consistency across team members was discussed.  Sue also discusses how schedules come into play when shaping a new behavior.  The discussion ends with advice for transitioning from a continuous reinforcement schedule to an intermittent schedule.  Stay tuned in for Sue’s "Training Tale" about the power of asking why something is done and the benefits of well conditioned bridging.For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠ and to reach Sue email. 3:55 Introduction to Sue Pasquine 9:45 Definition of Schedules of Reinforcements12:10 Definition of Non-Intermittent schedules and Continuous Reinforcement 17:20 Definition of Intermittent schedules 25:55 The importance of knowing what schedule we are using and that a team is using the same schedule in the same situations 28:20 How schedules come into play when shaping a new behavior 33:50 Advice for moving from a continuos schedule to an intermittent schedule 41:00 “Training Tales”

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