Describe two different reinforcement schedules: Fixed Ratio (FR), Variable Ratio (VR).

Objectives

To test reinforcement schedule effects on an organism’s behavior and extinction speed.
To write a laboratory report in APA format. (Results/Discussion)

1. Task

1) Select a subject or participant (e.g., pet, Sniffy, human) to test reinforcement schedule effects on the target behavior.

2) Describe two different reinforcement schedules: Fixed Ratio (FR), Variable Ratio (VR).

3) Implement the two reinforcement schedule one by one from the continuous reinforcement schedule (CRF)  and collect the target behavior data.

4) Graph the obtained behavioral data in sessions and compare the organism’s behavior under the two reinforcement schedules, FR and VR and the extinction speed after the two reinforcement schedule.

2. Sections Needed in the Laboratory Report

1) Results: Report the obtained data using a figure or table. Summarize the obtained data.

2) Discussion: Interpret and explain the obtained results. Summarize major findings. Compare the obtained results with previous research studies. State any limitations of the experiment conducted and the data obtained, if there are. Give any implication of the present study results (e.g., explaining human behaviors).

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