AP Psych
Reinforcement schedules
VI = variable interval, VR = variable ratio, FI = fixed interval, FR = fixed ratio
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ask yourself: does my behavior affect my chances of reward?
-- if YES then  RATIO
-- if NO then  INTERVAL
Ask yourself: does the reinforcement happen predictably or random?
--if PREDICTABLE then  FIXED
--if RANDOM then  VARIABLE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. _____ getting paid 10 dollars for every 20 puzzles solved
Fixed Ratio – every time you do the behavior (solving 20 puzzles), you get
the reinforcement ($10). The response is predictable (fixed) and you must
work to get it. You stop solving puzzles, you don’t get paid.
2. _____ studying for a class that has surprise quizzes
Variable Interval – your behavior (studying) isn’t directly tied to the
reinforcement (quizzes). Think about: there have been times where you
studied a lot and there was no pop quiz, and other times you forgot to
study and there was a pop quiz. So the reinforcement is based on time (not
your effort) and because it’s variable, you don’t know when it will happen.
3. _____ slot machines are based on this schedule
Variable Ratio – this is the classic example of a VR schedule. Just like FR,
you must do the behavior (putting in a coin and pulling down a lever to play
the slot machine) in order to get the reinforcement (hitting the jackpot). But
unlike FR, you don’t know when you will get reinforced – it’s not
predictable.
4. _____ checking the porch for a newspaper when the delivery person is very unpredictable
5. _____ checking the oven to see if chocolate chip cookies are done, when baking time is
known
Fixed Interval – suppose it takes 15 minutes to bake cookies. Once you put
the cookies in the oven, you probably won’t check at 3 minutes, or 6
minutes – you’ll check closer to 15 minutes. Your behavior (checking)
doesn’t affect when the cookies get done (the reinforcement) – just like in
VI your studying behavior didn’t affect when the quiz was given – but the
difference here is that when you’ll get the reinforcement is known (15 min.).
So that becomes a fixed interval of time before you get your reinforcement.
6. _____ selling a product door to door
7. _____ getting the clothes out of the dryer once it buzzes
8. _____ going up a staircase to reach a landing with a nice view Fixed Ratio
9. _____ A student’s final grade improves one level for every three book reviews submitted.
10. _____ playing Bingo Variable Ratio
11. _____ getting a paycheck at the end of 2 weeks Fixed Interval
12. _____ random drug testing
13. _____ a strike in bowling
14. _____ calling your mechanic to see if your car is fixed yet Variable Interval
15. _____ frequent flyer program where one gets a free flight after 10,000 miles flown
16. _____ child screams and cries in store to get what he wants – every so often it works
Variable Ratio
17. _____ child who likes to hear them music from Jeopardy every night at 7 pm 18. _____
trying to find a parking spot with a meter that works Variable Ratio
19. _____ waiting for a sunny day to go to the beach
20. _____ surfer waiting for the perfect wave to ride in
21. _____ going to the cafeteria to see if the next meal is available
22. _____ looking under rocks for worms
23. _____ buying state lottery tickets and winning Variable Ratio
24. _____ A hotel maid may take a 15-minute break only after having cleaned three rooms.
25. _____ watching and seeing shooting stars on a dark night Variable Interval