Reinforcement schedules are a fundamental concept in psychology that explores the ways in which behavior is shaped and maintained through rewards. Grounded in the principles of operant conditioning, reinforcement schedules investigate the timing and frequency of reinforcement in influencing the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. This area of study delves into the intricacies of different schedules, such as fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval, and examines their effects on motivation, persistence, and the development of habits. By understanding the nuances of reinforcement schedules, psychologists gain valuable insights into human and animal behavior, as well as practical applications in areas like education, therapy, and behavioral modification.

In operant conditioning, an animal is presented with a reinforcement or punishment in order to manipulate the frequency of a behavior. However, every occurrence of a behavior does not need to be rewarded to prevent the extinction of a behavior. Instead, a behavior can be reinforced after a specific number of performances or a specific amount of time. Such reinforcement patterns are referred to as reinforcement schedules. There are four different types of reinforcement schedules covered on the MCAT: fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval reinforcement schedules.