Reinforcement Schedules
Match the type of reinforcement
schedule to the example that best
defines it.
Reinforcement Schedule Review
RATIOS = RESPONSES
• Fixed Ratio (FR) – Reinforcement occurs after a
fixed number of responses
– 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.
– Results in high, steady rates of responding with
almost no pauses
Reinforcement Schedule Review
INTERVALS = 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.
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.
Example 1 ANSWER
• FIXED RATIO (FR)
Example 2
Although farmers put out about the same
amount of labor each year, sometimes they
sell their grain at harvest time, sometimes in
January, and sometimes in late March.
Example 2 ANSWER
• VARIABLE INTERVAL (VI)
Example 3
You are fly fishing in a great trout
stream. Sometimes you catch a fish after
only 4 or 5 casts; sometimes it takes 10 or
20 casts.
Example 3 ANSWER
• VARIABLE RATIO (VR)
Example 4
A bank employee is given a bonus of a
$30 restaurant coupon for every 4 hours of
overtime he volunteers to work.
Example 4 ANSWER
• FIXED INTERVAL (FI)
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.
Example 5 ANSWER
• VARIABLE RATIO (VR)
Example 6
A piano teacher gives a 6-year-old
student a sticker for each song he plays
well.
Example 6 ANSWER
• FIXED RATIO (FR)
Example 7
You are still fishing from a dock. You sit
with your line in the water and wait for the
fish to strike. Sometimes it takes only 20
minutes, and sometimes it takes an hour or
more.
Example 7 ANSWER
• VARIABLE INTERVAL (VI)
Example 8
You do piece work in a factory. For
every 3 sleeves you sew on garments, you
get $0.50.
Example 8 ANSWER
• FIXED RATIO (FR)
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.
Example 9 ANSWER
• FIXED INTERVAL (FI)
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.
Example 10 ANSWER
• VARIABLE RATIO (VR)
Example 11
Your paycheck arrives on the 1st and the
15th of every month.
Example 11 ANSWER
• FIXED INTERVAL (FI)
Example 12
Buying state lottery tickets & winning.
Example 12 ANSWER
• Variable Ratio (VR)
Example 13
A hotel maid may take a 15-minute
break only after having cleaned three
rooms.
Example 13 ANSWER
• Fixed Ratio (FR)
Example 14
Watching and seeing shooting stars on a
dark night.
Example 14 ANSWER
• Variable Interval (VI)
Example 15
A teenager receives an allowance every
Saturday.
Example 15 ANSWER
• Fixed Interval (FI)
Example 16
Checking the front porch for a
newspaper when the delivery time is
extremely unpredictable.
Example 16 ANSWER
• Variable Interval (VI)
Example 17
A professional baseball player gets a hit
approximately every third time at bat.
Example 17 ANSWER
• Variable Ratio (VR)
Example 18
Checking the oven to see if chocolate
chip cookies are done, when the baking
time is known.
Example 18 ANSWER
• Fixed Interval (FI)
Example 19
A blueberry picker receives $1 after
filling 3 pint boxes.
Example 19 ANSWER
• Fixed Ratio (FR)
Example 20
A charitable organization makes an
average of ten phone calls for every
donation it receives.
Example 20 ANSWER
• Variable Ratio (VR)
Example 21
Calling a garage mechanic to see if your
car is fixed yet.
Example 21 ANSWER
• Variable Interval (VI)
Example 22
A student’s final grade improves one
level for every three book reviews
submitted.
Example 22 ANSWER
• Fixed Ratio (FR)
Example 23
Going to the cafeteria to see if the next
meal is available.
Example 23 ANSWER
• Fixed Interval (FI)