You provide a food pellet after a certain amount of time has passed, for example, five minutes. The rat gets a food pellet the first time he presses the bar after five minutes is up. This is an example of a(n)
Interval Schedule.
Ratio Schedule.
You provide a food pellet after a certain amount of bar presses, for example, 10 bar presses. The rat gets a food pellet after every 10 bar presses. This is an example of a(n)
Ratio Schedule: Reinforcement is based on the number of bar presses. The number varies, but it averages to a particular ratio.
ratio Schedule: Reinforcement is based on the number of bar presses, and the number is the always the same.
Interval Schedule: Reinforcement is based on time and the time interval is always the same.
Interval Schedule: Reinforcement is based on time. The amount of time varies but it averages to a particular time.
If you want people to engage in a certain behavior the most, use a variable ratio schedule.
Playing slot machines is an example of FIXED RATIO schedule. Put money in, press button. You don't know how long or how many times it will take to win, but the longer you play the more likely you are to win.
