Variable reward

Variable reward (or unpredictable reward or variable schedule reward) is reward delivered intermittently. The reinforcement schedule is often designed to maximize behavior. Variable ratio schedule may provide reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses (e.g. at average ratio of 1:4). Variable interval schedule will use unpredictable intervals of time (e.g. at average 60 seconds). A popular example of the power of variable reward is the addiction to gambling. Pioneering research in the field was conducted by B.F. Skinner.

See also:

• Reward diversity in preventing addictions: how to avoid the negative impact of variable reward
• Gaming disorder: how variable reward can lead to gaming addictions

This glossary entry is used to explain texts in SuperMemo Guru series on memory, learning, creativity, and problem solving