Question

schedules of reinforcement
instructions: 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. for each number write:
fixed - interval schedule - fi variable - interval schedule - vi
fixed - ratio schedule - fr variable - ratio schedule - vr
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)____ fishing 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 mile 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 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

Explanation:

1. Fixed - ratio schedule (FR): Reinforcement (payment) is given after a fixed number of responses (20 puzzles).
2. Variable - interval schedule (VI): Surprise quizzes have an unpredictable time interval for reinforcement (quiz).
3. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): Slot machines give rewards after a random number of responses (plays).
4. Variable - interval schedule (VI): Fishing success (reinforcement) has an unpredictable time interval.
5. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): Speed traps are set up at random (variable) times/responses (cars passing).
6. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): Selling door - to - door has a variable number of responses (visits) for a sale (reinforcement).
7. Fixed - interval schedule (FI): The dryer buzzes (fixed time interval) for reinforcement (clothes done).
8. Fixed - ratio schedule (FR): Reaching a landing (reinforcement) after a fixed number of steps (ratio).
9. Fixed - ratio schedule (FR): 20 pushups (fixed ratio) for fitness (reinforcement).
10. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): Bingo has a variable number of calls (responses) for a win (reinforcement).
11. Fixed - interval schedule (FI): Paycheck every 2 weeks (fixed time interval).
12. Variable - interval schedule (VI): Random drug testing (variable time intervals).
13. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): A strike in bowling (reinforcement) after variable attempts (responses).
14. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): Calling mechanic (variable responses) for car fix (reinforcement).
15. Fixed - ratio schedule (FR): Free flight after a fixed number of miles (ratio).
16. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): Child's crying (variable responses) sometimes works (reinforcement).
17. Fixed - interval schedule (FI): Theme music every night at 7 pm (fixed time).
18. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): Finding a parking spot (variable responses) with a working meter.
19. Fixed - interval schedule (FI): Kiss at the end of every round (fixed time interval).
20. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): Waiting for a sunny day (variable time/responses) for beach (reinforcement).
21. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): Surfer waiting for a wave (variable time/responses) for ride (reinforcement).
22. Variable - ratio schedule (VR): Looking under rocks (variable responses) for worms (reinforcement).

Answer:

1. FR
2. VI
3. VR
4. VI
5. VR
6. VR
7. FI
8. FR
9. FR
10. VR
11. FI
12. VI
13. VR
14. VR
15. FR
16. VR
17. FI
18. VR
19. FI
20. VR
21. VR
22. VR