Types of Reinforcement Schedules and How They Work

Types of Reinforcement Schedules and How They Work
Human behaviours are shaped through continuous behaviour reinforcement of the target behaviour. Reinforcement schedules refer to the various rules set to ensure certain behaviours are encouraged or discouraged (Hulac et al., 2017). Reward systems are used to encourage behaviour, while punishments are used to discourage the behaviour. There is a need for partial behaviour schedules to maintain the desired behaviour. This paper will primarily focus on discussing the four types of reinforcement schedules, how each of the reinforcement schedules works, and the applicability of the four types of schedules in both personal and professional lives.
Fixed interval
Fixed interval refers to reinforcement schedules requiring the subjects to wait for a certain period before getting their reinforcement rewards. A good example of a fixed interval schedule is when employees of a company are paid at the end of the month. No matter the amount of effort put forth by the subjects, the rewards remain the same and come at a specified period. The main advantage of a fixed interval schedule is that it provides a much easier way of predicting behavioural responses. The disadvantage of this schedule is that once the reinforcement rewards are given, the subjects drop off the desired behavioural practices only to increase the behavioural responses again when the set reinforcement time nears.
Fixed Ratio
A fixed ratio is a reinforcement schedule based on the number of times a certain behaviour occurs. The reinforcement s based on the fixed number of responses achieved. A good example is salespeople who receive bonuses after achieving a certain sales target. This means that the reinforcement only comes after the fixed Ratio is achieved. The main advantage of this reinforcement schedule is that it showcases higher chances of positive responses. Once the subjects know they are guaranteed rewards after achieving the fixed ratio, it encourages them to respond positively and inhibit the desired behavioural responses. The disadvantage of this schedule is that it tends to be exhausting for the subjects after receiving the rewards. Once the subjects hit the fixed ratio several times and get the rewards, the motivation to continue showcasing the desired behaviour diminishes and the process becomes unsatisfying.
Variable Ratio
Variable Ratio is a reinforcement schedule that is quite unpredictable in all ways. The time and the number of times likely to be rewarded remains unknown to the subjects. A good example of a Variable ratio occurs in a poker gaming or jackpot winning machine where the gamers do not know the timelines and the number of times they are likely to win. The main advantage of this schedule is that its highly effective and guarantees steady behavioural responses since the subjects are highly gambling to ensure they get the reinf...