Question

intermediate schedules of reinforcement
instructions: define.
1 fixed - interval schedule:

1. variable - interval schedule:
2. fixed - ratio schedule:
3. 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, its variable. write completely fixed interval (fi), fixed ratio (fr), variable interval (vi) or variable ratio (vr) on the line at the left of each example.

1. getting paid 10 dollars for every 20 puzzles solved
2. studying for a class that has surprise (pop) quizzes
3. a slot machines are based on this schedule
4. trolling for fish in a lake in the summer
5. a police officer waiting for speeders to come under the bridge
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

Explanation:

Fixed - interval schedule (FI) is when reinforcement is given after a fixed time interval. Fixed - ratio schedule (FR) is when reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses. Variable - interval schedule (VI) is when reinforcement is given after a variable time interval. Variable - ratio schedule (VR) is when reinforcement is given after a variable number of responses.

1. For "getting paid 10 dollars for every 20 puzzles solved", it's a fixed number of responses (20 puzzles) for reinforcement (10 dollars), so it's FR.
2. "Studying for a class that has surprise (pop) quizzes" - the time between quizzes is variable, so it's VI.
3. "Slot machines" - the number of plays (responses) before winning (reinforcement) is variable, so it's VR.
4. "Trolling for fish in a lake in the summer" - the time until catching a fish (reinforcement) is variable, so it's VI.
5. "A Police officer waiting for speeders to come under the bridge" - the time until a speeder comes (reinforcement of catching a speeder) is variable, so it's VI.
6. "Selling a product door to door" - the number of doors (responses) until a sale (reinforcement) is variable, so it's VR.
7. "Getting the clothes out of the dryer once it buzzes" - fixed time (when it buzzes) for reinforcement (getting clothes), so it's FI.
8. "Going up a staircase to reach a landing with a nice view" - fixed number of steps (responses - going up stairs) for reinforcement (nice view), so it's FR.
9. "Doing 20 pushups to help stay fit" - fixed number of responses (20 pushups) for reinforcement (staying fit), so it's FR.
10. "Playing Bingo" - variable number of calls (responses) until winning (reinforcement), so it's VR.
11. "Getting a paycheck at the end of 2 weeks" - fixed time (2 weeks) for reinforcement (paycheck), so it's FI.
12. "Random drug testing" - variable time for reinforcement (testing result), so it's VI.
13. "A strike in bowling" - fixed number of attempts (responses - bowling throws) for reinforcement (strike), so it's FR.
14. "Calling your mechanic to see if your car is fixed yet" - variable time until car is fixed (reinforcement), so it's VI.
15. "Frequent flyer program where one gets a free flight after a specific number of miles flown" - fixed number of miles (responses - flying miles) for reinforcement (free flight), so it's FR.

Answer:

1. FR
2. VI
3. VR
4. VI
5. VI
6. VR
7. FI
8. FR
9. FR
10. VR
11. FI
12. VI
13. FR
14. VI
15. FR