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In a fixed interval reinforcement schedule, a reward is given for a desired behavior only after a specific, unvarying amount of time has passed. Any instances of the behavior that occur before the interval is over are not reinforced. This schedule is considered the least productive in terms of response rate and is the easiest to extinguish, as the behavior tends to cease quickly if the reinforcement is not delivered at the expected time.

Fixed Interval Reinforcement Schedule

A clinical application of a fixed interval schedule is a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump for pain management. A patient can press a button for medication, but the device only dispenses the drug at set intervals, like once per hour. This prevents overuse, as repeated presses before the interval ends yield no reinforcement. This example also illustrates rapid extinction; because the patient is on a fixed schedule, the behavior of pressing the button will quickly diminish if reinforcement (pain relief) does not occur at the expected time.

Example of Fixed Interval Reinforcement: Patient-Controlled Painkiller

When comparing reinforcement schedules, the variable ratio schedule is notable for being the most effective at generating a high rate of response and the most resilient against extinction. Conversely, the fixed interval schedule is considered the least productive in terms of response rate and the most susceptible to rapid extinction once reinforcement is withdrawn.

Comparison of Reinforcement Schedules by Productivity and Extinction Resistance

The effects of different reinforcement schedules can be visualized on a graph plotting the cumulative number of responses against time. On such a graph, ratio schedules (Variable and Fixed) exhibit steep slopes, indicating high response rates, while interval schedules (Variable and Fixed) show more moderate slopes. Variable schedules produce steady, relatively straight response lines. In contrast, fixed schedules create distinct patterns: the fixed ratio schedule is marked by a brief pause after each reinforcement before responding resumes at a high rate, creating a 'stair-step' pattern. The fixed interval schedule produces a 'scalloped' curve, where the response rate is low immediately after reinforcement and gradually increases as the next reinforcement time approaches.

Graphical Representation of Reinforcement Schedules

When choosing a reinforcement method, the desired outcome is a key factor. Fixed ratio schedules are best suited for optimizing the quantity of output, as the reward is directly linked to the number of responses. In contrast, fixed interval schedules, where reinforcement is based on time rather than the number of responses, can lead to a higher quality of output because there is no incentive to simply produce more.

Comparison of Fixed Ratio and Fixed Interval Schedules on Output Quality

A bakery offers a free coffee to customers every Tuesday morning with any purchase. The owner notices that the bakery is busiest on Tuesday mornings, but sales are significantly lower on other days of the week. This pattern of customer behavior, where purchasing increases dramatically just before the reward is available, is characteristic of which reinforcement schedule?

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