Partial Reinforcement Schedules

Used to demonstrate various schedules of reinforcement

Ratio Schedules

1. Fixed-ratio schedule: Reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses. e.g., piecework pay.

2. Variable-ratio schedule: Reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses. This is hard to extinguish because of the unpredictability. (e.g., behaviors like gambling, fishing.)

Reinforcement Schedules

1. Continuous Reinforcement: Reinforces the desired response each time it occurs.

2. Partial Reinforcement: Reinforces a response only part of the time. Though this results in slower acquisition in the beginning, it shows greater resistance to extinction later on.

Interval Schedules

1. Fixed-interval schedule: Reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed. (e.g., preparing for an exam only when the exam draws close.)

2. Variable-interval schedule: Reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals, which produces slow, steady responses. (e.g., pop quiz.)

Schedules of Reinforcement

Reinforcement Schedules

• The text indicates that in real life, continuous reinforcement is rare. Sometimes responses are reinforced, sometimes not.

• Among the most important schedules of partial reinforcement are the fixed ratio (FR), variable ratio (VR), fixed interval (FI), and variable interval (VI).

• Write numbers 1-12 on a piece of paper

• Identify the schedule in the examples that follow by writing your answer—FR, VR, FI, or VI—

Buying state lottery tickets and winning

fixed ra

tio (F...

varia

ble ratio...

fixed in

terval...

varia

ble inte

r...

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)

A hotel maid may take a 15-minute break only after having

cleaned three rooms.

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)

Watching and seeing shooting stars on a dark night

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)

A teenager receives an allowance every Saturday

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)

Checking the front porch for a newspaper when the delivery

person is extremely unpredictable.

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)

A professional baseball player gets a hit approximately every third time

at bat

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)

Checking the oven to see if chocolate chip cookies are done,

when baking time is known

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)

A blueberry picker receives $1 after filling 3 pint boxes

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)

A charitable organization makes an average of ten phone calls for

every donation it receives

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)

Calling a garage mechanic to see if your car is fixed yet

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)

A student’s final grade improves one level for every three book

reviews submitted

0% 0%0%0%

1. fixed ratio (FR)

2. variable ratio (VR)

3. fixed interval (FI)

4. variable interval (VI)