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Fixed Interval Schedules

Fixed interval schedules provide reinforcement after a set amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement. This can lead to individuals waiting until the scheduled reinforcement time to begin responding. Variable interval schedules also provide reinforcement after time passes, but the amount of time varies randomly, producing a steady low response rate. Fixed ratio schedules require a set number of responses before reinforcement, while variable ratio schedules require a varying number of responses, making them the most powerful form of partial reinforcement and producing persistent responding.

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172 views2 pages

Fixed Interval Schedules

Fixed interval schedules provide reinforcement after a set amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement. This can lead to individuals waiting until the scheduled reinforcement time to begin responding. Variable interval schedules also provide reinforcement after time passes, but the amount of time varies randomly, producing a steady low response rate. Fixed ratio schedules require a set number of responses before reinforcement, while variable ratio schedules require a varying number of responses, making them the most powerful form of partial reinforcement and producing persistent responding.

Uploaded by

Mel Vin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Fixed Interval Schedules

- A fixed interval reinforcement schedule is when behavior is rewarded after a set


amount of time. The target response is reinforced after a fixed amount of time has
passed since the last reinforcement. Reinforcement is delivered at predictable time
intervals (e.g., after 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes). Example, the bird in a cage is given
food (reinforcer) every 10 minutes, regardless of how many times it presses the bar.
The problem with this type of reinforcement schedule is that individuals tend to wait until
the time when reinforcement will occur and then begin their responses. For example,
June undergoes major surgery in a hospital. During recovery, she is expected to
experience pain and will require prescription medications for pain relief. June is given an
IV drip with a patient-controlled painkiller. Her doctor sets a limit: one dose per hour.
June pushes a button when pain becomes difficult, and she receives a dose of
medication.  There is no purpose in expressing the behavior if it will not be rewarded
because the reward (pain alleviation) arrives at a set interval.

Variable Interval Schedules


-This is similar to fixed interval schedules but the amount of time that must pass
between reinforcement varies. A Variable Interval Schedule provides reinforcement
after random time or unpredictable intervals (e.g 5, 7, 10 or 12 minutes). Example, the
bird may receive food (reinforcer) different intervals, not every ten minutes. This type of
schedule produces a low, steady responding rate since organisms are unaware of the
next time they will receive reinforcers.

Fixed Ratio Schedules


-In this schedule, reinforcement is delivered after the completion of a number of
responses. There are a set number of responses that must occur before the behavior is
rewarded. For example, if you are conducting a study in which you place a rat on a
fixed-ratio 30 schedule (FR-30), and the operant response is pressing the lever, then
the rat must press the lever 30 times before it will receive reinforcement.

Variable Ratio Schedules


-In a variable ratio reinforcement schedule, the number of responses or correct
repetitions of the correct response needed for a reward varies. This is the most powerful
partial reinforcement schedule. An example of the variable ratio reinforcement schedule
is gambling.
Variable interval and especially, variable ratio schedules produce steadier and more persistent rates of
response because the learners cannot predict when the reinforcement will come although they know
that they will eventually succeed. An example of this is why people continue to buy lotto tickets even
when an almost negligible percentage of people actually win. While it is true that very rarely there is a
big winner, but once in a while somebody hits the jackpot (reinforcement). People cannot predict when
the jackpot can be gotten (variable interval) so they continue to buy tickets (repetition of response).

Sources:

https://web.cortland.edu/andersmd/oper/interval.html

https://www.simplypsychology.org/schedules-of-reinforcement.html#vi

https://www3.uca.edu/iqzoo/Learning%20Principles/lammers/schedules.htm

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