Intermittent Reinforcement in Relationships- Types & What to Do About It

What is intermittent reinforcement in relationships?

Intermittent reinforcement is a term used in psychology to describe how positive or negative stimuli are administered intermittently or in a sporadic manner. Positive or negative behaviors, such as rewards and punishments, become more frequent if the behavior is repeated during an intermittent period. 

Intermittent reinforcement occurs in adult relationships, such as marriage, when the partner gives in to demands or requests because the spouse is being nice (positive) or because their partner is angry or mean (negative). 

For example, spouses may stop nagging each other if they receive a hug or a kiss as a reward for completing a chore or getting dinner on the table on time.

4 types of intermittent reinforcement

Here are 4 types of intermittent reinforcement:

1. Scheduled Reinforcement

This type of reinforcement is scheduled in advance and occurs according to a predetermined schedule. 

For example, a teacher might schedule 15 minutes of recess for every 10 minutes of class work. This form of reinforcement can be useful for children who tend to act impulsively without supervision or who need some structure during the day.

2. Natural Reinforcement

This type of reinforcement is a natural consequence of the behavior. For example, a child who keeps his toys in his room is more likely to play with them when he receives them as a reward than when he is scolded for breaking a rule by having them taken away.

3. Negative Reinforcement

This type of reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the removal of an unpleasant stimulus. For example, a parent who tells a child to stop crying gets the child to stop because the child realizes that it stops getting hit when it stops crying.

4. Positive Reinforcement

This type of reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the presentation of a pleasant stimulus. For example, if a child receives a sticker each time he completes a chore, it will encourage him to perform more chores so that he can earn additional stickers.

Why is intermittent reinforcement so dangerous in relationships?

Intermittent reinforcement is one of the most common methods used in animal training and it has been shown to be particularly harmful in human relationships. 

Intermittent reinforcement relationships are not good at any cost. If you are in an IRR relationship, it may be better to cut your losses and get out of the situation before it is too late. 

Here are some reasons why it is a bad idea to be in a relationship with someone who uses intermittent reinforcement as a control method.

• One of the main problems with using an intermittent reinforcement relationship is that it can quickly become abusive. You often end up resenting your partner because of the way they treat you. 

This can eventually lead to the end of the relationship. No one should ever have to feel forced to stay in an abusive relationship. It is never OK for someone to abuse you in any way, especially physically or emotionally. 

Someone who does not care about your feelings and uses intermittent reinforcement in relationships to control you will be a destructive force in your life. In order to avoid this type of situation, you need to learn how to recognize the signs of an intermittent reinforcement relationship. 

Here are some red flags you need to watch out for in a relationship with an intermittent reinforcement abuser.

• One of the early signs that someone is using intermittent reinforcement in relationships as a means of control is that they can overreact to things that are not particularly serious. For example, they might get angry with you if you forget to wash the dishes or take out the trash. This kind of behavior is not healthy and should not be tolerated in a relationship. If someone is being overly controlling in this way, you need to end the relationship as soon as possible.

• Another problem with using an intermittent reinforcement relationship is that it can make it difficult for you to build trust with your partner. Trust is one of the most important factors in any relationship, so you must make sure you are doing everything you can to build a strong foundation with your partner. If they do not trust you, then they will not be able to support you when you need it most. This can lead to a lot of conflict and could eventually lead to the end of the relationship.

How do you respond to intermittent reinforcement?

Intermittent reinforcement is a form of positive reinforcement that occurs intermittently, rather than constantly. If you wonder how to respond to intermittent reinforcement, the answer is that it depends on how you use it. If you reward your subjects at irregular intervals, then they are more likely to work harder. 

If they are working at times when no rewards are offered, then they will stop working as soon as they receive a reward. If a reward is not offered for a certain amount of time, they will eventually stop trying, or lose interest altogether. 

If you use this form of reinforcement properly, however, you can help to motivate your subjects. Is intermittent reinforcement effective? It depends on the context you are using it in.