Ratio Schedule

Chapter-10
Fixed-ratio(FR)schedule
 A reinforcer occurs each time a fixed number of responses of a
particular time are emitted.
 For example, Jan’s work rate in Math class

FR-16
FR-2 FR-4

2 4 16
responses responses responses
before before before
reinforcer reinforcer reinforcer
 If Jan’s responses has been put on FR 16 immediately, without intervening
FR values, her behavior might have deteriorated.

 This deterioration of responding from increasing an FR schedule too

rapidly is called ratio stain.

 FR schedule produces a high steady rate until reinforcement occurs.

 FR schedule is gradually followed by a post-reinforcement pause.

 The higher the FR value, the longer the pause.

Free-operant procedure

Individual is “free” to respond at various rates in the sense that

there are no constraints on successive response.

Discrete-trials procedure

Individual is “ not free” to respond at whatever rate he or she

choose because the environment places limits on availability of
response opportunities
Variable-ratio(VR) schedule

 A reinforcer occurs after a certain number of particular response

and the number of responses required for each reinforcer changes
unpredictably.

 Number of responses varies and must average out to find mean

score.
 For “VR 10”
No. of Sale Reinforcement
homes Person
10 call on make a sale

8 call on make a sale

7 call on make a sale
15 call on make a sale

Total home Total Reinforcement Average

40 4 10
 Differences between VR and FR schedules
VR schedule FR schedule
• no or minimal post- • have post-reinforcement pause
reinforcement pause
• might have ratio stain in
• increase response abruptly increasing response immediately
without producing ratio stain
• high resistance to extinction but
• somewhat higher resistance to a lit bit lower than VR
extinction than FR
 FR is most commonly used than VR in behavioral programs
because it is simpler to administer.
 For example, in teaching children with developmental
disabilities to name picture of objects
 Children make more correct responses when correct responses
are reinforced with a treat on ratio schedule than when they are
continuously reinforced.
 If the ratio schedule requires too many correct responses,
performance improves at first but then begins to show ratio
strain.
May Ei Hlaing
Presenter