| A | B |
|---|
| reinforcement schedules | rules defined in terms of the time and/or the number of responses required in order to present (or to remove) a reinforcer (or a punisher). |
| fixed-ratio (FR) schedule | the subject provides a set number of responses, then the trainer offers a reward |
| variable-ratio (VR) schedule | the reinforcements are given on unpredictable or changing schedule. |
| fixed interval (FI) schedule | requires the passage of a specified amount of time before reinforcement will be delivered contingent on a response |
| variable-interval (VI) schedule | reinforcements are distributed at varying intervals of time, depending on whether or not the desired behavior has been performed. |
| primary reinforcers | innate reinforcing qualities: Water, food, sleep, shelter, sex, and touch |
| secondary reinforcers | require association with innate reinforcers before they can produce a response, such as money |
| chaining | breaking a task down into small steps and then teaching each step within the sequence by itself |
