FR1

FR1 (Fixed Ratio 1)

Overview

The FR1 program configures FED4 to dispense a single pellet for each nose poke response. This is the simplest operant schedule, establishing a direct one-to-one relationship between behavior and reinforcement. FED4 logs all nose poke events, pellet dispenses, and pellet grabs with timestamps.

Theory

FR1 represents the most basic operant conditioning schedule, where each response produces one reinforcer. This schedule is commonly used to establish initial lever-pressing or nose-poking behavior during training phases. Response rates on FR1 are typically moderate and stable, with brief post-reinforcement pauses.

Considerations

• One-to-one contingency: Each nose poke immediately triggers pellet delivery (assuming pellet is available).
• Training utility: Often used as the first operant schedule to shape instrumental behavior before transitioning to more demanding schedules.
• Response rates: Animals typically show steady responding with minimal pausing, though individual differences in motivation affect overall rates.
• Logging: All nose pokes and pellet retrievals are timestamped, allowing analysis of response patterns and retrieval latencies.
• Transition considerations: FR1 provides a foundation for progressive ratio (PR) or higher fixed ratio schedules, where effort requirements increase.