chained schedule
a schedule of reinforcement for a single response in which a sequence of at least two schedules, each accompanied by a distinctive stimulus, must be completed before primary reinforcement occurs. For example, in a chained fixed-ratio 10, fixed-ratio 50 schedule, 10 responses change the stimulus situation and then 50 more result in primary reinforcement. Chained schedules are often used to study conditioned reinforcement. Also called chained reinforcement. Compare tandem reinforcement.