Reinforcement is any stimulus that makes a behavior more likely to occur.

When delivering reinforcement one may:

• Vary the amount of time . These are called interval schedules the number of responses which occur, after the first correct response in an interval, are irrelevant.
• Vary the amount of reward/reinforcement. These are called ratio schedules time is irrelevant.

Within thesetwo types of schedules a reward is given on either:

• Aregular basis, called a fixed schedule or
• On an intermittent (random/patternless) manner called a variable schedule

Instructions: Combine these to define the schedules listed below:

1. fixed-interval schedule-
2. variable-interval schedule-
3. fixed-ratio schedule-
4. variable-ratio schedule-

To determine the schedule of reinforcement being used, ask yourself: Is time the major factor that causes a favorable outcome (reinforcement) or is it repetition of responses? If time or the needed repetition of responses is constant or patterned, it is fixed; if the time or repetition of responses is random or intermittent, it's variable. Wr1te a completely fixed interval (FI), fixed ratio (FR), variable interval (VI) or variable ratio (VR) on the line at the left of each example.

1) _______________________ paid 10 dollars for every 20 puzzles solved 2) _______________________ studying for a class that has surprise quizzes 3) _______________________ slot machines are based on this schedule 4) _______________________ trolling for fish in a lake in the summer 5) _______________________ speed traps on highways 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 9) _______________________ doing 20 pushups to help stay fit 10) _______________________ playing Bingo 11) _______________________ getting a paycheck at the end of 2 weeks 12) _______________________ random drug testing 13) _______________________ a strike in bowling 14) _______________________ calling your mechanic to see if your car is fixed yet 15) _______________________ frequent flyer program where one gets a free flight after a specific number of miles flown 16) _______________________ child screams and cries in store to get what he wants-every so often it works 17) _______________________ child who likes to hear theme music from Jeopardy every night at 7 pm 18) _______________________ trying to find a parking spot in Metropolis with a meter that works 19) _______________________ wife is watching boxing match with husband- she receives a kiss at the end of every 3-minute round 20) _______________________ waiting for a sunny day to go to the beach 21) _______________________ surfer waiting for the perfect wave to ride in 22) _______________________ looking under rocks for worms