A Comparison of Variable Ratio and Fixed Ratio Schedules of Token Reinforcement
Both basic and applied research has shown the effects schedules of reinforcement have
on behavior. It is well documented that an organism’s rate and pattern of responding alter
depending on the schedule in effect. For example, fixed schedules often produce a postreinforcement
pause, in which the organism will cease responding for a short time following the
delivery of a reinforcer. This is often followed by an increase in the rate of target behavior until
the requirements for reinforcement are once again met. On the other hand, variable schedules, in
which the requirement to contact reinforcement changes for each delivery, produce higher and