Which reinforcement schedule requires the same number of responses before a reinforcer is given?

• A. Fixed Ratio
• B. Variable Ratio
• C. Fixed Interval
• D. Variable Interval

Answer: (A)

Reinforcement schedules determine when a reward is given based on responses or time. The one that delivers a reinforcer after a fixed number of responses is a fixed ratio schedule. For example, reinforcement happens after every fifth response. This produces a high, rapid rate of responding with a brief post-reinforcement pause before the next series of responses begins. In contrast, variable ratio delivers reinforcement after a varying number of responses, fixed interval delivers reinforcement after a set amount of time regardless of responses, and variable interval delivers reinforcement at unpredictable times, leading to different patterns of responding. Therefore, the schedule described is the fixed ratio schedule.