Educational Psychology / Unit 4 EDP 0325 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Identifying a Reinforcement Schedule
The idea
There are four partial schedules. A fixed-ratio schedule reinforces after a set number of responses, as with pay per item produced. A variable-ratio schedule reinforces after an average but unpredictable number of responses, as with a slot machine. A fixed-interval schedule reinforces the first response after a set time, as with a monthly salary. A variable-interval schedule reinforces the first response after an average but unpredictable time, as with checking email for new messages.
In practice
Worked example: a professor gives unscheduled quizzes, three in one week and then none for two weeks. Studying pays off after unpredictable stretches of time: a variable-interval schedule.
Where people slip
First decide ratio or interval: does reinforcement depend on how many responses, or on how much time has passed? Then decide fixed or variable: is the requirement predictable? Ratio schedules produce faster responding than interval schedules, and variable schedules produce stronger responding than fixed ones.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Educational Psychology