An example of a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement is the case of the
A) student who is greeted every fifth time she arrives in class.
B) instructor who is paid every two weeks during the year.
C) dean who visits the instructor's class when the mood strikes.
D) dog who retrieves the paper every day but gets rewarded infrequently.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement is when reinforcement is provided after a fixed number of responses. In the case of the student who is greeted every fifth time she arrives in class, reinforcement (the greeting) is provided after a fixed ratio of five responses (arriving in class). This is different from the other options which either involve a fixed interval schedule (getting paid every two weeks) or variable ratio/interval schedules (the dean visiting the class when the mood strikes, and the dog being rewarded infrequently).

An Example of a Fixed Ratio Schedule of Reinforcement Is