Schedules of Reinforcement
Partial
Reinforcement Effect
Simple Schedules:
Ratio
Schedules
1) Fixed-Ratio FR 1(CRF) FR 20 FR200
Define: 
Examples: a) delivery person
who visits same # of homes b)
Piecework
c) flights of stairs
d) doctor and how many patients he or she sees
2
Chief Personality
characteristics:
1) Post reinforcement pause
/zero rate of responding after a ratio run caused by ratio strain
2) once responding begins a
steady state begins
2
II. Variable-ratio schedule:
Define:
Examples:
1) slot machines
2) sports: golf par 3
birdie/bogie
3) lotteries
4) fishing
5) hunting
6) dating
7) gambling
8) all sports
Chief personality
characteristic: High steady state
responding with no pauses.
Reinforces fast inter response times (IRT).
Interval
Schedules 4
3) Fixed Interval:
Define: RI Scallop
Examples: 1) Bus stop
2) Automatic clothes washer
3) Cooking
4)
Making Jell-O
5) Waiting for your precise
delivery from postperson
Chief personality
characteristic:
The scallop: Response rate
starts slowly but begins to increase rather quickly the closer the reinforced
interval approaches. Differential rft
of short and long
interresponse times (IRT).
4) Variable-Interval
Define:
Examples: 1) taking your car
to a mechanic
2) doctor's office
3) busy phone
4) cab, bus, plane
5) Reilly center and your mail
5
6) Class,
movies, etc
Chief personality
characteristic: Steady moderate rate of responding.
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Control and schedules
other schedules: conjunctive
drl, drh, chained (VR the
VI), concurrent.