Welcome back to our RBT exam review series! Today, we’re diving into Basic Reinforcement Schedules. Reinforcement schedules are going to dictate when you provide reinforcement to your clients in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are essential to the implementation of treatment plans.
Reinforcement schedules help determine when and how often reinforcement is delivered. They’re categorized by combining two key components, and you should ask yourself the following questions to determine which is which:
- Fixed vs. Variable – Is reinforcement delivered on a set or changing schedule?
- Ratio vs. Interval – Is reinforcement based on the number of responses or the passage of time?
By combining these components, we get four primary reinforcement schedules. Let’s break them down in detail to help you master the concepts and apply them in real-life scenarios.
What are the Four Basic Reinforcement Schedules?
1. Fixed Ratio (FR) – Set Number of Responses
Reinforcement is delivered consistently after a fixed number of responses. The number of responses required does not change.
Key Characteristics:
- The response requirement remains consistent and unchanging until the schedule changes.
- Highly effective for building new skills due to its predictability and consistent rate of reinforcement.
- Often used in the initial stages of learning to establish behavior.
Example:
- FR 2 Schedule: Reinforcement is delivered after every two correct responses.
- The client labels two items correctly → reinforcement is delivered.
- The client labels two more items correctly → reinforcement is delivered again.
- As long as the FR2 schedule is active, the client will receive reinforcement every 2 correct responses
When you see a reinforcement schedule based on a specific number of responses, it’s a ratio schedule, not an interval schedule. If the number doesn’t change, it’s fixed.
2. Variable Ratio (VR) – Average Number of Responses
Reinforcement is delivered after an average number of responses, which varies each time. “Variable” will indicate a changing requirement and/or requirements based on an average number.
Key Characteristics:
- Produces high and steady response rates.
- Unpredictability makes it resistant to extinction.
- Commonly referred to as the “slot machine” schedule because you never know exactly when reinforcement will occur.
- This schedule is often used to promote generalization and maintenance
Example:
- VR 3 Schedule: Reinforcement is delivered after an average of three responses.
- Reinforcement might be delivered after the 2nd response, then the 4th, then the 3rd, averaging to three responses.
- Reinforcement can be delivered whenever as long as the average is consistently maintained
Exam Tip:
Look for descriptions like “changing number of responses” or “average number of responses”. These indicate a variable ratio schedule.
3. Fixed Interval (FI) – Set Amount of Time
Reinforcement is delivered for the first response after a fixed amount of time has passed. Interval schedules are based on time, NOT responses. The reinforcer is delivered for the first correct response after the time requirement has elapsed.
Key Characteristics:
- Produces a scalloped pattern of responding, with slower responses at the start of the interval and faster responses as time nears reinforcement.
- Often used to reinforce time-based behaviors, such as waiting or task completion.
Example:
- FI 5-Minute Schedule: Reinforcement is available for the first response after 5 minutes have passed.
- If the client engages in the target behavior after 5 minutes, reinforcement is delivered.
If the schedule is based on time rather than responses and the time interval does not change, it’s a fixed interval schedule.
4. Variable Interval (VI) – Average Amount of Time
Reinforcement is delivered for the first response after an average amount of time has passed.
Key Characteristics:
- Produces steady and moderate response rates.
- The time interval varies, making reinforcement unpredictable.
Example:
- VI 3-Minute Schedule: Reinforcement is delivered after an average of 3 minutes.
- Reinforcement might be available after 2 minutes, then 4 minutes, then 3 minutes, averaging to 3 minutes.
If the schedule is based on changing time intervals, it’s a variable interval schedule.
Summary: The Four Basic Reinforcement Schedules
| Schedule | Based On | Doesn’t Change/ Changes | Example |
|---|
| Fixed Ratio (FR) | Number of responses | Doesn’t Change | Reinforcement delivered after every 2 correct responses. |
| Variable Ratio (VR) | Number of responses | Changes | Reinforcement delivered after an average of 3 responses (e.g., 2, 4, 3). |
| Fixed Interval (FI) | Time | Doesn’t Change | Reinforcement delivered after 5 minutes, contingent on the first response. |
| Variable Interval (VI) | Time | Changes | Reinforcement delivered after an average of 3 minutes (e.g., 2, 4, 3). |
Final Thoughts: Mastering Basic Reinforcement Schedules
As a behavior technician, you must understand basic reinforcement schedules in order to accurately deliver reinforcement according the treatment plans.
🔹 Fixed Ratio (FR): Set number of responses.
🔹 Variable Ratio (VR): Average number of responses.
🔹 Fixed Interval (FI): Set amount of time.
🔹 Variable Interval (VI): Average amount of time.
Visit our shop for more RBT study materials