Which schedule reinforces after a fixed number of responses?

Which schedule reinforces after a fixed number of responses?

• A. Variable Ratio
• B. Fixed Ratio
• C. Fixed Interval
• D. Variable Interval

Answer: (B)

Reinforcement schedules in operant conditioning determine when a behavior is rewarded. When reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses, that’s a fixed ratio schedule. The defining idea is a constant count: you’re reinforced only after a specific, unchanging number of responses (for example, after every 5th response). This tends to produce a high rate of responding, with a brief post-reinforcement pause after each reward, because the subject learns that each set of responses brings the next reinforcement. In contrast, fixed interval reinforces after a set amount of time, regardless of how many responses occur; variable interval reinforces after varying times, yielding steady but moderate responding; and variable ratio reinforces after an unpredictable number of responses, producing very high and steady responding without a clear pause.

Reinforcement schedules in operant conditioning determine when a behavior is rewarded. When reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses, that’s a fixed ratio schedule. The defining idea is a constant count: you’re reinforced only after a specific, unchanging number of responses (for example, after every 5th response). This tends to produce a high rate of responding, with a brief post-reinforcement pause after each reward, because the subject learns that each set of responses brings the next reinforcement.

In contrast, fixed interval reinforces after a set amount of time, regardless of how many responses occur; variable interval reinforces after varying times, yielding steady but moderate responding; and variable ratio reinforces after an unpredictable number of responses, producing very high and steady responding without a clear pause.