Final answer:
The amount and type of reinforcer can have different effects on behavior, with tangible rewards potentially harming intrinsic motivation if expected, and intangible rewards like praise generally maintaining intrinsic motivation. Reinforcement schedules, such as fixed and variable ratios, effectively shape behavior in predictable ways.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effect of reinforcer amount, as illustrated in various studies, suggests that different types of reinforcers, such as physical and verbal reinforcement, influence individuals in distinct ways. For instance, physical reinforcements like money can sometimes negatively impact intrinsic motivation, due to the expectation of the reward, which contrasts with non-tangible reinforcers like praise, typically seen as having a less detrimental impact. The introduction of an extrinsic reward can diminish intrinsic motivation if it's expected, but if the reward is unanticipated, intrinsic motivation may be maintained.
An example from McCarthy and Voss (1995) shows this principle. Furthermore, reinforcement schedules like fixed or variable ratio schedules, influence behavior in specific, predictable ways, with variable schedules often yielding more robust responses. These principles of reinforcement are applied in various domains, including the token economies used in educational and institutional settings to modify and manage behavior effectively.