Concise Summary of Fixed Ratio and Procrastination Patterns

Fixed Ratio Responses: A specific number of responses is predetermined by the researcher.
Study Breaks: After completing a certain number of questions (e.g., 5), you take a break.
Work-Reward Match: The amount of effort put in matches the length of the break taken. More work results in longer breaks.
Example of Fixed Ratio: Buying a coffee, where buying 9 earns you the 10th for free (fixed ratio of 9).
Production Example: A factory worker making 20 parts to earn $100 has a fixed ratio of 20 (FR 20).
Response Rates: Fixed ratio produces the second highest rate of responding, particularly efficient with small ratios (e.g., FR 2, FR 5).
Post-Reinforcement Pause: These breaks occur only in fixed schedules (fixed ratios and intervals) after reinforcement has been received.
Procrastination: Seen as a pattern of fixed interval schedule; work intensifies as due dates approach.
Increasing Tasks: Changes in the required number of responses (e.g., from FR 5 to FR 15) elongate breaks but do not alter the response pattern shape.