A chapter test is always scheduled on a Friday. What schedule of reinforcement is this?

A chapter test is always scheduled on a Friday. What schedule of reinforcement is this?

• A. Fixed interval
• B. Fixed ratio
• C. Variable interval
• D. Variable ratio

Answer: (A)

This uses a timing-based reinforcement pattern. A chapter test happens every Friday, which means the opportunity for reinforcement (the test) is delivered after a fixed amount of time, regardless of how much work is done in between. That’s the hallmark of a fixed interval schedule: reinforcement is tied to a constant time interval. It isn’t based on how many problems you complete (that would be a fixed ratio), and it isn’t based on an unpredictable amount of time or number of responses (that would be variable interval or variable ratio). In fixed interval, you’ll often see responding increase as the end of the interval approaches, because that’s when the reinforcement becomes available again.

This uses a timing-based reinforcement pattern. A chapter test happens every Friday, which means the opportunity for reinforcement (the test) is delivered after a fixed amount of time, regardless of how much work is done in between. That’s the hallmark of a fixed interval schedule: reinforcement is tied to a constant time interval.

It isn’t based on how many problems you complete (that would be a fixed ratio), and it isn’t based on an unpredictable amount of time or number of responses (that would be variable interval or variable ratio). In fixed interval, you’ll often see responding increase as the end of the interval approaches, because that’s when the reinforcement becomes available again.