Shifting to FR Schedules of Reinforcement

 

This experimental phase demonstrates a shift from FI reinforcement in the prior 2 sessions to the application of a Fixed Ratio schedules of Reinforcement based on 5, then 10, then 30 responses per reinforcement.

Method and Procedures

Subjects had prior training involving continuous (CRF) reinforcement for bar pressing followed by 1 session of FI-2 seconds and then 1 session of FI-90 seconds. Subjects were then transferred in the next daily session to 3 successive daily sessions of FR-5. Following those 3 sessions, from 3 (subject 4 and 5) to 5 sessions (subject 6) followed using FR-10. These sessions were, themselves, followed by either 6 successive sessions of FR-30 (subjects 4 and 5) or by 4 successive sessions of FR-30 (subject 6).

Results
Individual Session Data for Each of the Three Subjects for Successive Sessions of FR-5:
------------ Subject 4 ----------    ------------ Subject 5 ----------    ---------- Subject 6 ----------

   

   

   

   

The data collected from subject 4 are shown in Column 1 of the above graphs.

The data collected from subject 5 are shown in Column 2 of the above graphs.

The data collected from subject 6 are shown in Column 3 of the above graphs.

 

Individual Session Data for Each of the Three Subjects for Subsequent Successive Sessions of FR-10:
------------ Subject 4 ----------    ------------ Subject 5 ----------    ---------- Subject 6 ----------

   

   

   

   

   

 

Individual Session Data for Each of the Three Subjects for Subsequent Successive Sessions of FR-30:
------------ Subject 4 ----------    ------------ Subject 5 ----------    ---------- Subject 6 ----------