Deprivation

Deprivation is a condition that increases the value (effectiveness) of a reinforcer. Specifically, deprivation refers to the length of time elapsed since a particular reinforcer has been available. The more time elapsed, the greater the deprivation, and the greater the deprivation, the more effective the withheld reinforcer will be.

A clear example of the principle of deprivation can be seen in the early work of B. F. Skinner. In a series of experiments on the basic principles of learning and behavior conducted with pigeons, Skinner used food as a reinforcer. To make sure that food would be an effective reinforcer when the experimental sessions were conducted each day, the sessions were held only when the subjects (the pigeons) had been deprived of food for 23 hours. This essential element of the experimental protocol ensured that the pigeons would be hungry when the experimental sessions occurred and food would be an effective reinforcer.

The principle of deprivation applies equally to people. The longer it has been since one has had access to a particular reinforcer, the greater the value (or effectiveness) of that reinforcer. Like satiation, deprivation is a setting event (or establishing operation) that alters the interactions among antecedent, behavior, and consequence. Thus, deprivation is best regarded as a variable that influences whether a particular reinforcer will be effective.