{"id":18550,"date":"2022-12-26T10:31:05","date_gmt":"2022-12-26T10:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/?p=18550"},"modified":"2024-05-26T20:42:52","modified_gmt":"2024-05-26T20:42:52","slug":"variable-ratio-schedule-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/variable-ratio-schedule-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Variable Ratio Schedule Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"variable<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A variable ratio schedule of reinforcement applies an award after varying numbers of times a goal behavior has occurred. It is one of four types of partial reinforcement schedule<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The variable schedule causes a randomness effect where people don\u2019t know when they will be rewarded (or punished) for their behavior but they know there is a chance each time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the reward may be given after the 5th<\/sup>, then 3rd<\/sup>, then 11th<\/sup> occurrence of the goal behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The variable ratio schedule is one of four schedules of reinforcement identified by B. F. Skinner. The other three schedules are: fixed ratio<\/a>, fixed interval<\/a>, and variable interval. Each reinforcement schedule<\/a> produces a unique set of behavioral patterns and contain different strengths and weaknesses, such as differing speeds of behavior acquisition<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The variable ratio schedule produces a very high and steady frequency of the goal behavior. In addition, there is very little post-reinforcement pause. Because the number of behaviors required for reward changes, the subject of experimentation keeps a steady rate of response.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Variable Ratio Schedule of Reinforcement Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Mrs. Linwood loves to play the scratch-offs at the convenience store near her home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Ben checks his Facebook account frequently to see how many likes his most recent post received.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mrs. Jones likes to give pop quizzes to her students. This rewards students who study frequently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Jasmine and her sister like going door-to-door selling girl scout cookies. Sometimes they get a sale, sometimes they don\u2019t.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Professor Jenkins likes to call on students at random to see if they read that week\u2019s assignment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Coach Jacobs likes to praise his players for trying hard during drills. But he doesn\u2019t give them praise each and every time; sometimes he does, and sometimes he doesn\u2019t.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mrs. Singh checks on her teenagers\u2019 homework every night. Sometimes she gives them a reward for doing well, but not always. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mitchell lives in Las Vegas and likes to play slot machines the most. One time he won twice in one day; but then didn\u2019t win again for months.          <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Jenna likes to bake cookies for her boyfriend when they get along really well. But, she doesn\u2019t want to spoil him so she doesn\u2019t do it every time he is nice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mr. Jones likes to distribute small bonuses randomly to his employees for working hard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The police are sometimes at a speed trap and sometimes aren\u2019t. Because they know there\u2019s a chance the police will be there, drivers tend to drive at the correct speed past that speed trap every time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Case Studies of Variable Ratio Schedule of Reinforcement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    1. Slot Machines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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