A cumulative record keeps a record of responses against time. The steeper the slope of the graph the faster the rate of responding. The cumulative record below shows the responses of a rat on a fixed interval schedule. The slashes indicate reinforcements. The rat maintains a steady rate of response.
Response rate is lower immediately after each reinforcement.
The rat's rate of responding changes after each pause. Label the curves below. In an interval schedule, an animal gets reinforced for the first response after a given interval of time has elapsed. On a fixed interval schedule, the animal tends not to respond immediately after a reinforcement. 1 Explain when a rat would be reinforced on a variable interval schedule of reinforcement.