Burke Frederick Skinner
Earth Timeline: 1904-1990
Earth World – Psychologist
Founder of Neo-Behaviorism Learning Theory
Pioneer of Operant Conditioning Theory
At university, Skinner crafted a box for psychological experiments, later known as the “Skinner Box.” He frequently used rats or pigeons for his experiments in this box. Among Skinner’s many achievements, the concept of “intermittent reinforcement” emerged, discovered by chance during his exploration of “operant conditioning.”
Before this serendipitous finding, Skinner discovered through experimentation that animals would develop a conditioned reflex of “pressing the switch for food” if food was dispensed each time they pressed the switch. However, if pressing the switch no longer yielded food, this conditioned behavior would quickly fade.
In a subsequent experiment, Skinner had a novel idea. Instead of consistently dispensing a fixed amount of food when the animals pressed the switch, he varied the reward. Sometimes he gave more, sometimes less, and sometimes no food at all, turning the “press switch for food” behavior into a “random event.” To his amazement, Skinner found that through this “intermittent random reward” training, the rats and pigeons became addicted! They would frantically press the switch until Skinner completely ignored their actions and withheld food for an extended period.
Based on these results, Skinner proposed the “intermittent reinforcement” theory. Though it might not have resonated deeply with people at the time (estimated around Earth Timeline: 1950), in hindsight, this theory is chillingly profound.
Once someone has a crush, they will check their phone for messages or replies from “that person.” If “that person” occasionally “randomly” responds, they will be elated for a long time, patiently awaiting more interaction. Inexperienced gamblers, initially graced by “luck,” win more than they lose and gradually become addicted. Each subsequent gamble feels like pressing a switch, expecting more rewards, even if they continue to lose. Gacha games initially bestow players with ample free draws, not out of generosity but to “train” players into addiction through “intermittent random rewards.” Once hooked, players always anticipate better rewards from the next draw, unable to escape the allure.
By now, Skinner’s intermittent reinforcement theory has been thoroughly understood by Earth’s capitalists, cleverly permeating every corner of life and work. This psychological effect is astonishingly powerful; no human has been immune to its influence since time immemorial. People are ensnared, unable to extricate themselves, struggling to resist.
Priscilla Nissen found a highly practical example in the information she obtained, titled “The Application of ‘Intermittent Random Rewards’ in a Relationship”:
In a relationship, if you always accept your partner’s invitations, they will eventually take your compliance for granted and become indifferent. Conversely, if you always decline, your partner will lose hope and give up more readily. Only “random” acceptance maintains your partner’s interest, inciting them to invite you with a sense of curiosity. Once they secure a date, they will be elated, and this positive emotion will enhance the quality of the date itself.
(Terrifying… Truly terrifying! The Earth world has researched such a wicked theory, essentially domesticating people like animals!)
Priscilla Nissen was genuinely shocked after reading the information from the “Omniscient Knowledge Repository,” feeling as if she had uncovered some profound truth. After understanding the “Intermittent Reinforcement Theory,” Priscilla realized that Tyler sometimes answered her questions while sometimes intentionally leaving her hanging. Wasn’t this randomly rewarding behavior? Had she unknowingly become “addicted” to Tyler?
(That was close! I’m fortunate to have discovered this early! That despicable scoundrel Tyler, thinking he could domesticate me?!)
Priscilla felt a sense of relief and was also extremely furious with Tyler! However, she was clever enough not to let Tyler know she had figured everything out.
(Silly Nissen: Well, if you would-on’t tell me, so be it~ It’s just “Skinner,” thinking you’re so knowledgeable? Let-o me tell you, I was just-o teasing you earlier!)
The foolish loli responded with her usual bravado.
(Tyler: As expected of Lady Nissen, can you tell me how I should apply the “Intermittent Reinforcement Theory” to make Avril fall for me?)
(Silly Nissen: That’s easy, it’s just… just start-o like this, and then do that-o!)
The loli spoke with genuine confidence, only to falter halfway through her explanation. She genuinely had no idea how to apply the “Intermittent Reinforcement Theory” to Avril.
It was then that the foolish loli realized that knowing the theory and applying it in practice were two different things. She carefully considered the recent “hero saves the beauty” scenario and concluded that it was dissimilar to the rats in Skinner’s box; the principles couldn’t be directly applied. Using the highly practical example wouldn’t work either, as the current situation required Tyler to invite Avril out, and it was improbable for him to feign indifference while waiting for her to invite him.
(Silly Nissen: Hmph, asking such a simple question is an insult-o to my intelligence!)
(Tyler: Oh, it’s quite a talent to insult something that doesn’t exist.)
Tyler’s remark left Silly Nissen confused for a moment before she realized she had been teased again. As she angrily berated Tyler for being a “big fool,” he had already embarked on his conquest mission.
The crux of applying the “Intermittent Reinforcement Theory” lies in identifying the trigger and the reward. Only when these two “experimental conditions” are set correctly can the theory be effective.
Tyler, with his wealth of experience, had already gathered the essential information on Avril before choosing her as the conquest target. Over the next three days, he planned to make the girl named Avril “addicted” to the young man called “Banning.”𝑂𝒱𝗅xt.𝑐𝓞𝓜