Question

Explain how the four schedules of partial reinforcement work.

Short answer

The four schedules of partial reinforcement are: Fixed Ratio, where reinforcement occurs after a specific number of responses; Variable Ratio, where reinforcement is based on an average number of responses; Fixed Interval, where the first response is rewarded after a specific amount of time has elapsed; and Variable Interval, where a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed.

Step-by-step solution

Fixed Ratio (FR) schedule

Under a Fixed Ratio schedule, reinforcement is delivered after a specific number of responses have been made. This creates a high, steady rate of responding with only a brief pause after the delivery of the reinforcer. For example, a worker getting paid for every five widgets they make is an example of a fixed ratio schedule.

Variable Ratio (VR) schedule

In a Variable Ratio schedule, the delivery of reinforcement is based on a particular average number of responses. This might involve providing a reward after five responses, then after two, then after four, and so on. Examples of this might be winning a game of bingo or gambling on a slot machine. This schedule generates a high, steady rate of responding with little or no pause between reinforcements.

Fixed Interval (FI) schedule

In a Fixed Interval schedule, the first response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed. This causes high amounts of responding near the end of the interval but slower responding immediately after the delivery of the reinforcer. A classic example of this is when students cram for an exam the night before, and then slow down their studying once the tests are over.

Variable Interval (VI) schedule

With a Variable Interval schedule, a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed, which produces a slow, steady rate of response. A classic example of this would be checking your email or fishing. You do not know when a fish will bite, so you check the bobber periodically.

Key concepts

Fixed Ratio Schedule

The Fixed Ratio (FR) schedule is a type of partial reinforcement in behavioral psychology. In this schedule, a reward is given after a predetermined number of responses have been executed. For example, imagine you're playing a video game where you get an extra life every time you collect ten coins. You will likely play eagerly, aiming to collect those coins quickly. This schedule tends to produce a high rate of response, as individuals are motivated to receive reinforcement as frequently as possible.
However, there’s typically a brief pause following the reinforcement before the next round of response starts. This is because the individual takes a short break after achieving the goal. Thus, the FR schedule can be seen as motivating hard work followed by small resting periods.

• **Example:** Getting paid for every five tasks completed.
• **Response Pattern:** High rate of response followed by a short pause after reward.

Variable Ratio Schedule

The Variable Ratio (VR) schedule is one of the most effective ways to maintain a behavior. Here, reinforcement is provided after an unpredictable number of responses, though centered around an average. This might look like a slot machine game: sometimes you win after five attempts, sometimes after ten, then maybe after three. The key is you never know when the reward will come, keeping the excitement at its peak.
This unpredictability leads to a very high and steady rate of responding. People are driven to keep trying because every attempt could potentially be "the one" that leads to reinforcement. There are little or no pauses between responses since the next reward could be right around the corner!

• **Example:** Gambling or lottery games.
• **Response Pattern:** High, steady response pattern with few or no pauses.

Fixed Interval Schedule

The Fixed Interval (FI) schedule differs from the ratio schedules by relying on time rather than actions. Here, reinforcement is delivered for the first response after a set amount of time has elapsed. An illustrative example is a weekly paycheck. It's specifically tied to the end of the week, no matter how many hours you clock in daily. This can lead to bursts of activity closer to the time reward is expected.
Typically, there is a slow response rate directly after reinforcement, with a gradual increase as the interval progresses. This phenomenon can be likened to students who study increasingly fervently as exam dates approach.

• **Example:** Regularly scheduled work payments.
• **Response Pattern:** Low response rate after the reward, picking up towards the end of the interval.

Variable Interval Schedule

In a Variable Interval (VI) schedule, reinforcement is given after a randomly varying amount of time has passed. For instance, consider checking your emails. You may do so sporadically throughout the day without knowing when a new message will appear.
This schedule creates a slow yet steady response rate, since each moment could lead to reinforcement, but there is no predictable time frame, keeping the responder always "on their toes." Despite its slower pace compared to ratio schedules, it can be effective for long-term behavior reinforcement.

• **Example:** Checking for notifications or fishing.
• **Response Pattern:** Slow, steady response pattern with no predictable reinforcement time.