interval reinforcement

the reinforcement of the first response to a stimulus after a predetermined interval has elapsed. Reinforcement may be given at uniform or variable intervals; the number of responses during the interval is irrelevant. Also called interval-reinforcement schedule. See also fixed-interval schedule; random-interval schedule; variable-interval schedule. Compare ratio reinforcement.

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Psychology term of the day

January 28th 2025

consistency check

consistency check

a method often built into an experimental or statistical procedure to verify that data are accurate or that computations have been done correctly. For example, questionnaire items with slightly different wording but identical meaning should be answered by individuals in the same way, and respondents claiming to have a high educational degree should be of a certain age.