Schedules of Reinforcement
Instructions. Identify the reinforcement schedule illustrated in the
following examples by placing the appropriate abbreviation in the blank
next to the item. Use the following code:
Fixed Ratio (FR)
Variable Ratio (VR)
Fixed Interval (FI)
Variable Interval (VI)
________ 1. Getting a paycheck
every other week
________ 2. Pop quizzes
________ 3. Slot machines at
gambling casinos
________ 4. Calling the mechanic
to find out if your car is fixed yet
________ 5. A factory worker who
is paid on piece work
________ 6. Fly fishing: casting
and reeling back several times before catching a fish
________ 7. Looking at your watch
during a lecture until the end of the lecture
________ 8. A salesperson who gets
paid on commission
________ 9. Calling a friend and
getting a busy signal because he or she is frequently on the phone
________ 10. Signaling with your
thumb while hitchhiking
________ 11. Frequent flyer
program: rewards after flying X amount of miles
________ 12. Collecting bottles,
cans, or other recyclables for cash
________ 13. An athlete’s contract
specifies salary increases to be renegotiated every three years
________ 14. Buying lottery tickets
________ 15. A person refrains
from drugs for fear of random drug testing
________ 16. Checking the
refrigerator to see if the JELL-O is ready
________ 17. Watching for shooting
stars
________ 18. Checking the mail,
assuming the mail carrier comes at the same time every day
________ 19. Playing Bingo
________ 20. A worker receives $1
for every 100 envelopes stuffed and sealed
