Interval and Ratio Schedules

FI

The delivery of mail to a mailbox

interval schedule

elapse of time before a response produces reinforcement

fixed ratio

high rates of response with a post reinforcement pause

ratio schedule

number of responses before one response produces reinforcement

VI

one person telephones the other and their line is busy

VR

operation of slot machine, no prediction of when reinforcement will be delivered

variable ratio

produces a quick rate of response, consistent steady rate of response

variable interval (VI)

reinforcement is given for the 1st correct response following the elapse of variable durations of time produces a constant stable rate of response low to moderate rate of response

fixed interval (FI)

reinforcement is given for the 1st response following a fixed duration of time is slow to moderate rate of response and produces a postreinforcement pause

fixed ratio (FR)

schedule of reinforcement requires the completion of a number of responses to produce a reinforcer

variable ratio (VR)

schedule of reinforcement requires the completion of a variable number of responses to produce a reinforcer

FR

worker receiving a pay credit after completing a specific number of tasks