Which reinforcement schedule requires a fixed number of correct responses before reinforcement is given?

Which reinforcement schedule requires a fixed number of correct responses before reinforcement is given?

• A. Interference
• B. Learning disabilities
• C. Fixed interval ratio
• D. Fixed ratio schedule

Answer: (D)

Reinforcement schedules specify when reinforcement is delivered based on behavior. A fixed ratio schedule is when reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses. For example, you might reward every fifth correct response. This tends to produce a high, steady rate of responding with a brief pause after each reinforcement, since the next reward isn’t due until the required number of responses is completed. The other terms don’t describe a pattern of reinforcement: interference and learning disabilities refer to cognitive phenomena or conditions, and fixed interval ratio isn’t a standard reinforcement schedule term—the recognized concept is the fixed ratio schedule.

Reinforcement schedules specify when reinforcement is delivered based on behavior. A fixed ratio schedule is when reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses. For example, you might reward every fifth correct response. This tends to produce a high, steady rate of responding with a brief pause after each reinforcement, since the next reward isn’t due until the required number of responses is completed. The other terms don’t describe a pattern of reinforcement: interference and learning disabilities refer to cognitive phenomena or conditions, and fixed interval ratio isn’t a standard reinforcement schedule term—the recognized concept is the fixed ratio schedule.