answer questions

schedules of reinforcement 

Answer all questions in the worksheet.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Remember…

If the organism in the scenario KNOWS exactly when a reinforcer is available, the schedule is FIXED.

If the organism in the scenario ISN’T sure when a reinforcer is available (words like: on average, around, in general, etc.) the schedule is VARIABLE.

INTERVAL schedules are based on time

RATIO schedules are based on behavior

Gambit receives a dog treat each time he does his business outside.

Steps to handle this question:

a. Does the subject know for SURE when the reinforcer is available?

Yes/no (circle one) This means the schedule is FIXED / VARIABLE (circle one) 

b. Is the reinforcer available depending on:

• a period of time / a certain number of behaviors (circle one) This means the schedule is INTERVAL / RATIO (circle one)
•   This schedule is: ______ 
• Melody periodically looks at her watch (I mean cell phone) to see how much more time till the end of class which ends at exactly 2:00PM. When the bell rings, she leaves the classroom.
• Steps to handle this question:

–Does the subject know for SURE when the reinforcer is available?

1. Yes/no (circle one) This means the schedule is FIXED / VARIABLE (circle one)

–Is the reinforcer available depending on:

a period of time / a certain number of behaviors (circle one) This means the schedule is INTERVAL / RATIO (circle one)

–This schedule is: _____

In the above scenario, what would you expect to observe of Melody’s time checking behavior as it gets closer to 2:00pm?

Explain your answer to # 3.

At Starbucks, I can earn a free latte after I buy 10.

Steps to handle this question:

–Does the subject know for SURE when the reinforcer is available?

Yes/no (circle one) This means the schedule is FIXED / VARIABLE (circle one)

–Is the reinforcer available depending on:

a period of time / a certain number of behaviors (circle one) This means the schedule is INTERVAL / RATIO (circle one)

–This schedule is: ________

.  Around once a month a student tells me they learned something.

Steps to handle this question:

Does the subject know for SURE when the reinforcer is available?

Yes/no (circle one) This means the schedule is FIXED / VARIABLE (circle one)

Is the reinforcer available depending on:

1. a period of time / a certain number of behaviors (circle one) This means the schedule is INTERVAL / RATIO (circle one)

This schedule is: _______

After completing 2 fun worksheets, Gabriel received 10 extra credit points that will go toward his next exam.

Steps to handle this question:

a. Does the subject know for SURE when the reinforcer is available?

Yes/no (circle one) This means the schedule is FIXED / VARIABLE (circle one)

b. Is the reinforcer available depending on:

a period of time / a certain number of behaviors (circle one) This means the schedule is INTERVAL / RATIO (circle one)

7a: This schedule is: ______

7b: Will there likely be a PRP? Which kind?