Jackpots

In all my research there existed a lot of uncertainty about whether or not jackpots are actually doing what we think they’re doing. But before we can continue on with this conversation we have to ensure we are talking about the same thing and define what A jackpot is.

Firstly it’s important to understand that this stuff is not in the scientific literature. It’s a word that’s being created by trainers, by people that work with animals and so there is a big variation in definitions. And I’m not here myself to that that the definition I’m sharing is or this is not the definition you wish to use. Your definition is as valid as mine because if the term doesn’t actually exist in the literature then we’re free to say what we want. Additionally, I don’t have the data to say yay or nay Jackpots work or don’t work and If you do then I’d really like to see it. So what I will offer is kind of a great starting point, a great guide for us moving forward in this blog post.

For me, a Jackpot is when we offer a magnitude reinforcer. And even that needs definition. What are we offering? A larger size reinforcer? A longer duration reinforcer? Is it a longer pet for our dog? A longer praise? Are we offering more pieces? One piece then another then another then another in succession? Or one lump bigger piece, or a pile of bigger pieces, what is that magnitude reinforce? Because I think what ever that magnitude reinforcer is, is potentially going to have a different influence on your animal’s behavior. We have to also remember that each animal is an individual and you might find that you do it one way with one animal and then do it the same way with a different individual and get a different result. The end goal is of course that we want to see an increase in the frequency of the behavior we offer that magnitude after. So it has to be contingent on that behavior and it has to be unexpected, I would say. It has to be rare and rarity and unexpectedness go hand in hand really because if it’s not rare then it potentially might be expected. And the end goal is we want the animal to repeat that behavior.

Let’s continue this discussion about what we mean when we say definitions and let me just remind you that this stuff is not in the scientific literature. It’s a word that’s being created by trainers, by people that work with animals and so there is a big variation in definitions and no one in this web class prior the videos I share myself are saying that this is or this is not the definition. Your definition is as valid as mine because I mean who am I to argue. I don’t have the data to say yay or nay. If you do then I’d really like to see it. So that is kind of a great starting point, a great guide for us moving forward int his web class.

Let’s hear what someone else has to say about it. So let’s go to, we’ll just jump to the slide presentation so you guys can see where we’re at. Let’s hear from Dr. Susan Friedman about her input on [inaudible 00:02:25]. Next we’re going to hear from Chirag Patel and he’s gonna give us a little bit of a definition of … that he hears other people say and he sees in his articulation of it that is not one he personally gives. It’s one that he hears frequently and we’ll just play that video for you now and then we’ll discuss this a little bit more, this definition … potential definition is how I describe it. The written content …

People might have different definition of jackpots and people might swear that jackpots 100% work. Some people might be dubious and I’m sure want more information or think that there’s a bunch of variables that need to be considered with each situation and each unique animal. I think everyone thinks that actually that’s just a universal thought. Just because we might have different definition or just because we might have different anecdotal experiences or understanding of the literature doesn’t make anyone a crappy trainer. It just means we have different definitions of that word. To start any conversation, I encourage you to do this as you move forward, engaging online with myself and with other people and other communities. Is to make sure you’re always adding that definition, and so people know what you’re talking about. If you’re not adding it, then at least you’re asking it from others.

So we offer this magnitude reinforcer higher than required or wasn’t expected. That if you offer magnitude reinforcer, if you offer an increase in the amount of reinforcement then that animal’s going to understand this is Ryan’s definition of what is rationally need to be happening in these situations. Animals meant to understand, oh, that higher level response. That higher level performance was the thing that got me more food. Therefore, I’m gonna repeat that behaviour again in the future. A potential con is that you blow a bit of your food. You blow some of your pouch. And therefore you decrease the repetition.

Now, in this web class moving forward I don’t want to talk too much about the pros and cons of this because I was wondering as I was creating this web class how I can make this different for you, the Animal Training Academy member. What’s already available online because you can go … we linked to a couple of articles about this in the animal training academy engaged Facebook page by Ken Ramirez, by Karen Prior. There was an article in there where Jose Gomez, Pete Giljum, Sarah Stremming, so there was quite a few. Francis King talks about jackpots here in [inaudible 00:06:14]. So you have Ken Scott, some really great input on there. You might have read that article that we linked to and the Animal Training Academy engaged Facebook group just reading Carolyn’s comment here as well-