AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In operant conditioning, a fixed interval schedule is when reinforcement is given to a desired response after specific (predictable) amount of time has passed. Such a schedule results in a tendency for organisms to increase the frequency of responses closer to the anticipated time of reinforcement.

Detailed explanation-2: -A Fixed Interval Schedule provides a reward at consistent times. Forexample a child may be rewarded once a week if their room is cleaned up. Aproblem with this type of reinforcement schedule is that individuals tend to wait until the time when reinforcement will occur and thenbegin their responses (Nye, 1992).

Detailed explanation-3: -Schedules based on elapsed time are referred to as interval schedules and can be either fixed-interval or variable-interval schedules.

Detailed explanation-4: -Interval means the schedule is based on the time between reinforcements, and ratio means the schedule is based on the number of responses between reinforcements. Reinforcement is delivered at predictable time intervals (e.g., after 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes).

Detailed explanation-5: -Fixed-interval schedules are those where the first response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed. This schedule causes high amounts of responding near the end of the interval but slower responding immediately after the delivery of the reinforcer.