Question

Identify and describe the different schedules for delivering reinforcement. What should managers consider the most when deciding which schedule to use?

Provide an example of each reinforcement schedule.

Answer 1

Schedule of reinforcement: Schedule of reinforcement is set of rules that an instructor will fallow when delivering reinforces.

Broadly there are 2 types of reinforcement

1. Continuous Reinforcement: Continuous schedule of reinforcement would occur when reinforcement is delivered after every correct response from students. For example every time you press power button of sandwich maker sandwich starts cooking.
2. Intermittent reinforcement: Intermittent schedule of reinforcement mean reinforcement is delivered after some behavior of response but never after each one.

Intermittent reinforcement can be further divided into 4 types

1. Fixed ratio schedule: in this type of schedule reinforcement would be delivered after certain fixed number of correct responses. For example the car would accelerate by 20% for every 10 km rise in speed.
2. Variable ratio schedule: it is a type of reinforcement in which delivery of reinforcement will vary but will average at certain number. For example a teacher might give reinforcement after 1 correct response then after 3 more correct response, then 2 more, then 1 more and finally after 3 more correct response. The average is 1+3+2+1+3=10/5=2. Hence this is variable ratio schedule of 2.
3. Fixed interval schedule: in this type of schedule reinforcement would occur after specific period of time. For example teacher would provide reinforcement after 2 minutes.
4. Variable interval schedule: in this type of reinforcement time interval would vary but average out at certain time interval of time. For example a teacher would provide reinforcement after 2 minutes, 4 minutes, 1 minutes, 3 minutes. The average of this is 2+4+1+3=10/4=2.5 minutes. Hence this is variable schedule of 2.5 minutes