Editing Reinforcement (section)

====Effects of different types of simple schedules====

* Fixed ratio: activity slows after reinforcer is delivered, then response rates increase until the next reinforcer delivery (post-reinforcement pause).
* Variable ratio: rapid, steady rate of responding; most resistant to [[Extinction (psychology)|extinction]].
* Fixed interval: responding increases towards the end of the interval; poor resistance to extinction.
* Variable interval: steady activity results, good resistance to extinction.
* Ratio schedules produce higher rates of responding than interval schedules, when the rates of reinforcement are otherwise similar.
* Variable schedules produce higher rates and greater resistance to [[extinction (psychology)|extinction]] than most fixed schedules. This is also known as the Partial Reinforcement Extinction Effect (PREE).
* The variable ratio schedule produces both the highest rate of responding and the greatest resistance to extinction (for example, the behavior of [[gambler]]s at [[slot machine]]s).
* Fixed schedules produce "post-reinforcement pauses" (PRP), where responses will briefly cease immediately following reinforcement, though the pause is a function of the upcoming response requirement rather than the prior reinforcement.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Derenne A, Flannery KA | date = 2007 | title = Within Session FR Pausing. | journal = The Behavior Analyst Today | volume = 8 | issue = 2 | pages = 175–86 | doi=10.1037/h0100611}}</ref>
** The PRP of a fixed interval schedule is frequently followed by a "scallop-shaped" accelerating rate of response, while fixed ratio schedules produce a more "angular" response.
*** fixed interval scallop: the pattern of responding that develops with fixed interval reinforcement schedule, performance on a fixed interval reflects subject's accuracy in telling time.
* Organisms whose schedules of reinforcement are "thinned" (that is, requiring more responses or a greater wait before reinforcement) may experience "ratio strain" if thinned too quickly. This produces behavior similar to that seen during extinction.
** Ratio strain: the disruption of responding that occurs when a fixed ratio response requirement is increased too rapidly.
** Ratio run: high and steady rate of responding that completes each ratio requirement. Usually higher ratio requirement causes longer post-reinforcement pauses to occur.
* Partial reinforcement schedules are more resistant to extinction than continuous reinforcement schedules.
** Ratio schedules are more resistant than interval schedules and variable schedules more resistant than fixed ones.
** Momentary changes in reinforcement value lead to dynamic changes in behavior.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=McSweeney |first1=Frances K. |last2=Murphy |first2=Eric S. |last3=Kowal |first3=Benjamin P. | name-list-style = vanc |title=Dynamic changes in reinforcer value: Some misconceptions and why you should care. |journal=The Behavior Analyst Today |date=2001 |volume=2 |issue=4 |pages=341–349 |doi=10.1037/h0099952}}</ref>