Since the reward is given consistently on every Friday—not sometimes on Thursday and sometimes on Monday–the reinforcement schedule is considered fixed. Since the reward is given on the basis of time, not on the basis of number of desirable responses (i.e. number of good, well-behaved actions), it is considered to be an interval schedule. Another way to think about this interval schedule is that no matter how good a student is, he or she cannot “speed up” the reward. In other words, it doesn’t matter if he saves the world from imminent doom on Monday, Ms. Johnson will still not reward him until Friday. Combining the “fixed” and “interval” aspects, we get the correct answer: this is a fixed interval schedule of reinforcement.

When using the Premack principle, it is important to consider activities that are highly preferred by the individual. What is the child’s favorite thing to do? Play video games, or play basketball? Whichever behavior is preferred tends to have a higher probability of occurring naturally and that activity would be used as reinforcement for a less-preferred (i.e. lower-probability) activity like cleaning up one’s bedroom.

Negative reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior, such as pressing a lever, by removing an aversive—unpleasant—stimulus (e.g. the annoying beep) when that behavior occurs. Using the current example, positive reinforcement would be a food pellet appearing when the lever was pressed. Negative reinforcement is often confused with punishment, but punishment decreases the likelihood of some behavior. It is important to note that both positive and negative reinforcement increase the likelihood of that behavior.

Classical conditioning usually involves involuntary reflexes or visceral responses (think about the salivation of Pavlov's dogs). Observational learning such as modeling involves voluntary responses (e.g., a child mimicking a parent's gestures).

The beeping is considered to be negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is the type of reinforcement that occurs when an unpleasant stimuli is removed upon performing a behavior. Reinforcement always increases a behavior. In this case, the unpleasant stimulus is the car beeping and the behavior is buckling the seat belt. Positive reinforcement, on the other hand, is the application of a reward upon performing a behavior. Again, reinforcement (either positive or negative) always increases behavior. Both negative and positive punishments decrease behavior. Negative punishment is taking away something good upon performing a behavior (e.g. getting TV taken away due to a bad test grade). Positive punishment is the application of an unpleasant punishment upon performing a behavior (e.g. speeding on the freeway will result in a ticket).

Behavior can be shaped through operant conditioning through the use of rewards and punishments. "Negative reinforcement "occurs when you remove or relieve a negative feeling. In this case, Sandy's behavior of canceling the show is being negatively reinforced because it removes the feelings of anxiety. 

Reinforcement schedules can be fixed or variable and ratio or interval. In general, "ratio reinforcement" schedules are most resistant to extinction compared to interval schedules. On the other hand, "negative reinforcement" and "positive reinforcement" are not reinforcement schedules.

A "variable-ratio" reinforcement schedule delivers a reinforcer after a variable number of non-reinforced responses. In the same way, slot machines give a reinforcement (i.e. winning) after a variable number of losses. This type of reinforcement schedule elicits a higher resistance to extinction with high steady rates of responding making it very lucrative for the casino industry.

"Positive punishment" occurs when a stimulus (e.g. shock) is provided and weakens a response. "Negative punishment" occurs when a stimulus (often a pleasant one) is removed and this weakens a response. "Positive reinforcement" is when a stimulus (often a pleasant one) is provided and strengthens a response. Last, "negative reinforcement" occurs when a stimulus (often an unpleasant one) is removed and this strengthens a response.

"Positive reinforcement" is when a stimulus (e.g. sugar pellet) is provided that strengthens a response. "Negative reinforcement" occurs when a stimulus (often an unpleasant one) is removed and this strengthens a response. "Positive punishment occurs" when a stimulus (often an unpleasant one) is provided and this weakens a response. Last, "negative punishment" occurs when a stimulus (often a pleasant one) is removed and this weakens a response.