In what type of reinforcement schedule can both high and low rates be defined?

Differential Reinforcement Schedules are designed to reinforce specific behaviors while withholding reinforcement for others, which allows for the possibility of both high and low rates of behavior. This schedule is flexible and can be tailored to increase desired behaviors while decreasing undesired ones, leading to variations in the frequency of the reinforced behavior. For instance, if a trainer reinforces only the highest quality sits, the dog is likely to demonstrate a high rate of that specific behavior to meet the criteria for reinforcement. Conversely, if the criteria are set to reinforce only the lowest quality behaviors, a low rate may result.

The other reinforcement schedules, such as Random Ratio, Fixed Interval, and Continuous Reinforcement, operate under more rigid frameworks that typically do not allow for such variability in response rates. Random Ratio schedules tend to strengthen behaviors through unpredictable reinforcement, but they don't inherently provide the versatility to define high and low rates clearly. Fixed Interval schedules reinforce behaviors only after a certain time has passed, limiting the flexibility in response rates. Continuous Reinforcement inevitably leads to a consistent reinforcement, which might not reflect variability in behavior intensity or frequency. Thus, Differential Reinforcement Schedules uniquely accommodate both high and low rates of behavior effectively.