In operant conditioning, a fixed-ratio schedule is a schedule of reinforcement where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses. Essentially, the subject provides a set number of responses, then the trainer offers a reward. One advantage of a fixed-ratio schedule is that it produces a high, steady rate of responding with only a brief pause after the delivery of the reinforcer. Show
Fixed-Ratio Schedule in Operant ConditioningOperant conditioning involves strengthening or weakening behaviors via rewards and punishments. This type of associative learning changes behavior based upon that behavior's consequences. If a behavior is followed by a desirable consequence, that behavior is more likely to occur again in the future. If, on the other hand, an action is followed by an undesirable consequence, the action becomes less likely to take place again in the future. Behaviorist B.F. Skinner observed that the rate at which a behavior was reinforced, or the schedule of reinforcement, had an impact on the frequency and strength of the response. The fixed-ratio (FR) schedule is just one of the schedules that Skinner identified. Other schedules of reinforcement are:
How the Fixed-Ratio Schedule WorksThe fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement can be understood by looking at the term itself. "Fixed" refers to the delivery of rewards on a consistent schedule. "Ratio" refers to the number of responses that are required in order to receive reinforcement. For example, a fixed-ratio schedule might involve the delivery of a reward for every fifth response. After the subject responds to the stimulus five times, a reward is delivered. So, imagine that you are training a lab rat to press a button in order to receive a food pellet. You decide to put the rat on a fixed-ratio 15 (FR-15) schedule. In order to receive the food pellet, the rat must engage in the operant response (pressing the button) 15 times before it will receive the food pellet. The schedule is fixed, so the rat will consistently receive the pellet every 15 times it presses the lever. It doesn't matter how long it takes the rat to get to 15 presses. Effectiveness of a Fixed-Ratio ScheduleWhat impact does this schedule have on response rates? The fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement results in a high, steady response until the reinforcement is delivered. There is a brief response pause after reinforcement, but responding quickly resumes. Typically, the FR schedule leads to very high rates of response that follow a burst-pause-burst pattern. Subjects will respond at a high rate until the reinforcement is delivered, at which point there will be a brief pause. However, responding will resume once again at a high rate. This high rate of response is one of the advantages of a fixed-ratio schedule. One possible disadvantage is that subjects may quickly become exhausted from such a high response rate. Or, they may become satiated after several reinforcements have been given. Fixed-ratio schedules are often used after a response has been learned, but you want to reinforce it. In the rat example, the rat has learned that pressing the bar earns a food pellet. To make sure the rat continues this behavior, you can reinforce it on a fixed ratio. Examples of Fixed-Ratio Schedules To better understand what a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement looks like, consider these examples.
A Word From VerywellA fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement can be a useful approach to certain situations that use operant conditioning. When choosing a schedule, however, it is important to think about factors such as how frequently you want the subject to respond and how often you want to provide a reward. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Kendra Cherry
Thanks for your feedback! Which is an example of a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule?Fixed-Ratio Schedules
This schedule produces a high, steady rate of responding with only a brief pause after the delivery of the reinforcer. An example of a fixed-ratio schedule would be delivering a food pellet to a rat after it presses a bar five times.
What is meant by fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement?Fixed ratio is a schedule of reinforcement. In this schedule, reinforcement is delivered after the completion of a number of responses. The required number of responses remains constant. The schedule is denoted as FR-#, with the number specifying the number of responses that must be produced to attain reinforcement.
What are the characteristics of a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement?A fixed ratio schedule delivers reinforcement after a certain number of responses are delivered. Fixed ratio schedules produce high rates of response until a reward is received, which is then followed by a pause in the behavior.
What are the 5 reinforcement schedules?Intermittent Schedules of Reinforcement. Fixed-Ratio (FR) Schedule.. Fixed Interval (FI) Schedule.. Variable-Ratio (VR) schedule.. Variable-Interval (VI) schedule.. |