The partial reinforcement effect refers to the phenomenon where behaviors that are reinforced intermittently are more resistant to extinction than those reinforced continuously. This effect suggests that when a behavior is rewarded only some of the time, it becomes more entrenched and harder to eliminate, as the unpredictability of the reward keeps the behavior going even when reinforcement stops. The way reinforcement schedules are structured plays a crucial role in this effect, influencing how quickly or slowly behaviors fade away.
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