Answer all questions in the worksheet.
Schedules of Reinforcement
Remember…
- If the organism in the scenario KNOWS exactly when a reinforcer is available, the schedule is FIXED.
- If the organism in the scenario ISN’T sure when a reinforcer is available (words like: on average, around, in general, etc.) the schedule is VARIABLE.
- INTERVAL schedules are based on time
- RATIO schedules are based on behavior
- Gambit receives a dog treat each time he does his business outside.
Steps to handle this question:
a. Does the subject know for SURE when the reinforcer is available?
Yes/no (circle one) This means the schedule is FIXED / VARIABLE (circle one)
b. Is the reinforcer available depending on:
a period of time / a certain number of behaviors (circle one) This means the schedule is INTERVAL / RATIO (circle one)
This schedule is: ______
- Melody periodically looks at her watch (I mean cell phone) to see how much more time till the end of class which ends at exactly 2:00PM. When the bell rings, she leaves the classroom.
Steps to handle this question:
–Does the subject know for SURE when the reinforcer is available?
Yes/no (circle one) This means the schedule is FIXED / VARIABLE (circle one)
–Is the reinforcer available depending on:
a period of time / a certain number of behaviors (circle one) This means the schedule is INTERVAL / RATIO (circle one)
–This schedule is: _____
- In the above scenario, what would you expect to observe of Melody’s time checking behavior as it gets closer to 2:00pm?
- Explain your answer to # 3.
- At Starbucks, I can earn a free latte after I buy 10.
Steps to handle this question:
–Does the subject know for SURE when the reinforcer is available?
Yes/no (circle one) This means the schedule is FIXED / VARIABLE (circle one)
–Is the reinforcer available depending on:
a period of time / a certain number of behaviors (circle one) This means the schedule is INTERVAL / RATIO (circle one)
–This schedule is: ________
. Around once a month a student tells me they learned something.
Steps to handle this question:
- Does the subject know for SURE when the reinforcer is available?
Yes/no (circle one) This means the schedule is FIXED / VARIABLE (circle one)
- Is the reinforcer available depending on:
a period of time / a certain number of behaviors (circle one) This means the schedule is INTERVAL / RATIO (circle one)
- This schedule is: _______
- After completing 2 fun worksheets, Gabriel received 10 extra credit points that will go toward his next exam.
Steps to handle this question:
a. Does the subject know for SURE when the reinforcer is available?
Yes/no (circle one) This means the schedule is FIXED / VARIABLE (circle one)
b. Is the reinforcer available depending on:
a period of time / a certain number of behaviors (circle one) This means the schedule is INTERVAL / RATIO (circle one)
7a: This schedule is: ______
7b: Will there likely be a PRP? Which kind?