Reinforcement Schedule

1. Reinforcement Schedule INTERVALS = TIME Does it Deal with Time? • Fixed Interval (FI) – A reinforcer is delivered for the first response after a preset time interval has elapsed. • Number of responses tends to increase as the time for the next reinforcer draws near then long pause occurs after reinforcement. • Variable Interval (VI) – A reinforcer is delivered for the first response after an average time interval has elapsed. The interval is unpredictable. • Number of responses will be moderately steady because reinforcement could occur at any time.

2. Reinforcement Schedule RATIOS = RESPONSES • Fixed Ratio (FR) – Reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses. Every fifth time. • Results in a burst-pause-burst-pause pattern • Variable Ratio (VR) – Reinforcement occurs after an average number of responses. Number of responses required for reinforcement is unpredictable. 1st , 3rd, 5th, 2nd time. • Results in high, steady rates of responding with almost no pauses

3. Example 1 A business that advertises that it will change your oil in 20 minutes offers you a free oil change after you have had your oil changed 5 times at their business.

4. Example 1 ANSWER • FIXED RATIO (FR)

5. Example 4 A bank employee is given a bonus of a $30 restaurant coupon for every 4 hours of overtime he volunteers to work.

6. Example 4 ANSWER • FIXED INTERVAL (FI)

7. Example 5 A young child demands a candy bar each time she is in the checkout line at the grocery store. Sometimes the parent gives her one and sometime he doesn’t.

8. Example 5 ANSWER • VARIABLE RATIO (VR)

9. Example 6 A piano teacher gives a 6-year-old student a sticker for each song he plays well.

10. Example 6 ANSWER • FIXED RATIO (FR)

11. Example 8 You do piece work in a factory. For every 2 sleeves you sew on garments, you get $0.50.

12. Example 8 ANSWER • FIXED RATIO (FR)

13. Example 9 For each half day that a second grader pays attention and works well, the teacher gives her a “Good Behavior” dollar that she can trade in at the end of the week for desired objects from the store.

14. Example 9 ANSWER • FIXED INTERVAL (FI)

15. Example 10 A vacuum cleaner salesperson does numerous presentations in people’s homes and gets paid a bonus each time he or she sells a vacuum. Sometimes the salesperson does 5 presentations before a customer buys a vacuum, sometimes 2 customers in a row purchase the product.

16. Example 10 ANSWER • VARIABLE RATIO (VR)

17. Example 11 Your paycheck arrives on the 1st and the 15th of every month.

18. Example 11 ANSWER • FIXED INTERVAL (FI)

19. Example 12 Buying state lottery tickets & winning.

20. Example 12 ANSWER • Variable Ratio (VR)

21. Example 13 A hotel maid may take a 15-minute break only after having cleaned three rooms.

22. Example 13 ANSWER • Fixed Ratio (FR)

23. Example 14 Watching and seeing shooting stars on a dark night.

24. Example 14 ANSWER • Variable Interval (VI)

25. Example 15 A teenager receives an allowance every Saturday.

26. Example 15 ANSWER • Fixed Interval (FI)

27. Example 16 Checking the front porch for a newspaper when the delivery person is extremely unpredictable.

28. Example 16 ANSWER • Variable Interval (VI)

29. Example 17 A professional baseball player gets a hit approximately every third time at bat.

30. Example 17 ANSWER • Variable Ratio (VR)

31. Example 18 Checking the oven to see if chocolate chip cookies are done, when the baking time is known.

32. Example 18 ANSWER • Fixed Interval (FI)

33. Example 19 A blueberry picker receives $1 after filling 3 pint boxes.

34. Example 19 ANSWER • Fixed Ratio (FR)

35. Example 20 A charitable organization makes an average of ten phone calls for every donation it receives.

36. Example 20 ANSWER • Variable Ratio (VR)

37. Example 21 Calling a garage mechanic to see if your car is fixed yet.

38. Example 21 ANSWER • Variable Interval (VI)

39. Example 22 A student’s final grade improves one level for every three book reviews submitted.

40. Example 22 ANSWER • Fixed Ratio (FR)

41. Example 23 Going to the cafeteria to see if the next meal is available.

42. Example 23 ANSWER • Fixed Interval (FI)