Schedules of Rx

Question 1

Fixed Ratio

Answer 1

Rx follows a fixed number of responses.

• High overall rate of responding
• Post Rx pause
• Then a BREAK-AND-RUN patter on responding with little hesitation between responses
• Maximum ratio affected by past FR history of Rx, MOs, Rx quality, and changes in ration requirements.
• Abrupt, large increases in FR size may generate ration strain #avoidence #agression #UnpredictablePauses

Question 2

Variable Ratio

Answer 2

Rx follows a variable number of responses

• High, steady rate of responding
• No PostRx Pause
• High VR response requirements can be attained by gradually thinning the schedule

Question 3

Fixed Interval

Answer 3

Rx follows the first response after a fixed amount of time has elapsed since the previous Rxed response

• Low to the moderate overall rate of responding
• Post Rx pause
• Scallop effect
• Longer FI intervals produce longer post Rx pauses and lower overall response rate

Question 4

Fixed Variable

Answer 4

Rx follows the first response after a variable amount of time has elapsed since the previous Rxed response

• Consistent, stable rate of responding
• No post Rx pause
• Low to moderate rates of responding
• Longer mean intervals produce lower overall response rates.