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A schedule of reinforcement is a tactic used in operant conditioning that influences how an operant response is learned and maintained. Each type of schedule imposes a rule or program that attempts to determine how and when a desired behavior occurs. Behaviors are encouraged through the use of reinforcers, discouraged through the use of punishments, and rendered extinct by the complete removal of a stimulus.

What are schedules of reinforcement?

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Continuous vs. Intermittent Schedules

Continuous schedules reward a behavior after every performance of the desired behavior. This reinforcement schedule is the quickest way to teach someone a behavior, and it is especially effective in teaching a new behavior. Simple intermittent (sometimes referred to as partial) schedules, on the other hand, only reward the behavior after certain ratios or intervals of responses.

Types of Intermittent Schedules

There are several different types of intermittent reinforcement schedules. These schedules are described as either fixed or variable and as either interval or ratio.

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Continuous Schedule

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Fixed Ratio

A fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement means that reinforcement should be delivered after a constant or “fixed” number of correct responses. For example, a fixed ratio schedule of 2 means reinforcement is delivered after every 2 correct responses. The chosen number could be 5, 10, 20 or it could be 100 or more; there is no limit but the number must be defined.

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When using a variable-ratio (VR) schedule of reinforcement the delivery of reinforcement will “vary” but must average out at a specific number. Just like a fixed-ratio schedule, a variable-ratio schedule can be any number but must be defined.

For example, a teacher following a “VR2” schedule of reinforcement might give reinforcement after 1 correct response, then after 3 more correct responses, then 2 more, then 1 more and finally after 3 more correct responses.

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Fixed Interval

A fixed-interval schedule is when behavior is rewarded after a set amount of time. This type of schedule exists in payment systems when someone is paid hourly: no matter how much work that person does in one hour (behavior), they will be paid the same amount (reinforcement).

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Variable Interval

With a variable-interval schedule, the subject gets the reinforcement based on varying and unpredictable amounts of time. People who like to fish experience this type of reinforcement schedule: on average, in the same location, you are likely to catch about the same number of fish in a given time period. However, you do not know exactly when those catches will occur (reinforcement) within the time period spent fishing (behavior).

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Key Points To Remember

A reinforcement schedule is a tool in operant conditioning that allows the trainer to control the timing and frequency of reinforcement in order to elicit a target behavior.
Continuous schedules reward a behavior after every performance of the desired behavior; intermittent (or partial) schedules only reward the behavior after certain ratios or intervals of responses.
Intermittent schedules can be either fixed (where reinforcement occurs after a set amount of time or responses) or variable (where reinforcement occurs after a varied and unpredictable amount of time or responses).
Intermittent schedules are also described as either interval (based on the time between reinforcements) or ratio (based on the number of responses).

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Key Terms

interval

A period of time.

ratio

A number representing a comparison between two things.

extinction

When a behavior ceases because it is no longer reinforced.

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