Final answer:
A fixed ratio reinforcement schedule rewards behavior after a set number of occurrences, while a fixed interval schedule rewards behavior after a specific period. Both schedules are used in operant conditioning and have implications for the rate of learning and behavior extinction.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule, reinforcement is contingent on the number of times a behavior occurs; in a fixed interval schedule, reinforcement is contingent on the behavior occurring after a given period since the last reinforcement. A fixed ratio requires a set number of responses before a reward is given. For example, an eyeglass salesperson might be incentivized with a commission for every pair of glasses sold, regardless of the time interval between sales. In contrast, a fixed interval schedule reinforces after a certain amount of time has elapsed, such as a hospital patient receiving pain relief medication at hourly intervals.
Understanding these schedules is crucial for determining how to optimize behavior and performance. A fixed ratio is ideal for encouraging high quantities of output, while fixed interval schedules can encourage higher-quality output because the reinforcement is not directly tied to the quantity of the response. This plays a significant role in operant conditioning, where the choice of reinforcement schedule can affect how quickly a behavior is acquired and how resistant that behavior is to extinction.