A reinforcement schedule where a reward is delivered after a specific, unchanging number of responses. This creates a predictable pattern where reinforcement always follows the same amount of behavior.
Coined by B.F. Skinner in the 1950s from Latin 'fixus' (fastened, unchanging) and 'ratio' (proportion or relationship). Skinner discovered that this schedule produces distinctive response patterns with brief pauses after reinforcement followed by rapid responding.
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