Probability Relations Within Response Sequences Under Ratio Reinforcement¹

Skinner's original description of the effects of fixed-ratio reinforcement schedules in terms of response-rate measures (14) has served as the point of de- parture for all such subsequent investigations. The two salient aspects of fixed- ratio performance that have thus far received the most attention are the high re- sponse rates toward the end of the inter-reinforcement period and the character- istic pause after the delivery of a reinforcement