Wk 7 Schedules of reinforcement

Question 1

Schedule of reinforcement

Answer 1

A rule that provides the contingency of reinforcement and the environmental arrangements that will determine the behaviors that will receive reinforcement

Question 2

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 2

reinforcement after each behavior

Question 3

Intermittent reinforcement

Answer 3

Some but not all occurrences of behavior are reinforced

Question 4

fixed ratio

Answer 4

schedule of reinforcement requires the completion of a fixed number of responses for a reinforcer

rate of response
FR schedules often produce high rates of response.

The higher ratio is likely to produce a higher rate of response. The rate of response decreases, however, if the ratio requirements are too large.

The higher ratio is likely to produce a higher rate of response. The rate of response decreases, however, if the ratio requirements are too large.

Question 5

variable ratio

Answer 5

A variable ratio (VR) schedule of reinforcement requires the completion of a variable number of responses to produce a reinforcer.

Rates of response
VR schedules produce consistent, steady rates of response.
They typically do not produce a postreinforcement pause, as do FR schedules.

Like the FR schedule, the VR schedule tends to produce a quick rate of response.

Question 6

Fixed interval

Answer 6

A fixed interval (FI) schedule of reinforcement provides reinforcement for the first response following a fixed duration of time.

Rate of response
FI schedules typically produce a postreinforcement pause in responding during the early part of the interval. An initially slow but accelerating rate of response is evident toward the end of the interval, usually reaching a maximum rate just before delivery of the reinforcer.

FI schedule, participants learn (a) to discriminate the elapse of time and (b) that responses emitted right after a reinforced response are never reinforced.

FI schedules tend to produce a slow to moderate rate of response.

Question 7

Variable interval

Answer 7

schedule of reinforcement provides reinforcement for the first correct response following the elapse of variable durations of time.

A VI schedule of reinforcement tends to produce a constant, stable rate of response.

VI schedules of reinforcement tend to produce low to moderate rates of response.

to a degree, the larger the average interval, the lower the overall rate of response.