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Psychology / Unit 5   Psych 0563 short lesson, about 20 seconds

The Fixed-Interval Schedule

Captions available

The idea

A fixed-interval schedule reinforces the first response after a set amount of time has elapsed.

In practice

A weekly paycheck produces effort that rises as payday approaches and drops after it.

Where people slip

Interval schedules reinforce time passing, not effort. Extra responses within the interval buy nothing.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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