4.1 Types of Reinforcement Schedules

Reinforcement schedules are key to understanding how behaviors are shaped and maintained. They determine when and how often rewards are given for specific actions, influencing the strength and persistence of behaviors.

This section covers four main types of reinforcement schedules: fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval. It also explains continuous and intermittent reinforcement, as well as the process of extinction when reinforcement stops.

Ratio Schedules

Fixed and Variable Ratio Schedules

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• Fixed Ratio (FR) schedules deliver reinforcement after a fixed number of responses
  • Reinforcement is given after a predetermined number of responses (FR 10 = reinforcement after 10 responses)
  • Produces a high, steady rate of responding with a brief pause after reinforcement
  • Ratio strain can occur if the ratio is too high, leading to slower or stopped responding
• Variable Ratio (VR) schedules deliver reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses
  • Reinforcement is given after a varying number of responses around an average value (VR 10 = reinforcement after an average of 10 responses)
  • Produces a high, steady rate of responding with few pauses
  • Behaviors are more resistant to extinction compared to FR schedules due to the unpredictability of reinforcement

Continuous Reinforcement

• Continuous Reinforcement involves reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs
• Fastest way to teach a new behavior and establish a strong response
• However, the behavior is quickly extinguished when reinforcement is no longer provided consistently
• Typically used in the initial stages of learning before moving to an intermittent schedule to maintain the behavior

Interval Schedules

Fixed and Variable Interval Schedules

• Fixed Interval (FI) schedules deliver reinforcement for the first response after a fixed time interval
  • Reinforcement is given for the first response after a predetermined time has elapsed (FI 2min = reinforcement for first response after 2 minutes)
  • Produces a scalloped pattern of responding, with a pause after reinforcement followed by an increasing rate of responding as the next interval elapses
• Variable Interval (VI) schedules deliver reinforcement for the first response after an unpredictable time interval
  • Reinforcement is given for the first response after a varying time interval around an average duration (VI 2min = reinforcement for first response after an average of 2 minutes)
  • Produces a moderate, steady rate of responding with few pauses
  • Behaviors are more resistant to extinction compared to FI schedules due to the unpredictability of reinforcement timing

Intermittent Reinforcement

• Intermittent Reinforcement involves reinforcing a behavior only some of the times it occurs, not every time
• Behaviors acquired under intermittent reinforcement are more resistant to extinction than those acquired under continuous reinforcement
• Intermittent reinforcement schedules, like VR and VI, are effective for maintaining behaviors over time
• The unpredictable nature of reinforcement strengthens the behavior and makes it less likely to extinguish when reinforcement is withheld

Extinction

Withholding Reinforcement

• Extinction refers to the weakening and eventual disappearance of a previously reinforced behavior when reinforcement is no longer provided
• When a behavior is no longer reinforced, it gradually decreases in frequency until it stops occurring altogether
• Extinction does not erase the learned behavior, but rather suppresses it as long as reinforcement remains unavailable
  • Spontaneous recovery can occur where an extinguished behavior suddenly reappears after a period of time without exposure to the original learning context
• Extinction bursts, a temporary increase in the frequency or intensity of the behavior, can occur early in the extinction process before the behavior starts to decline