Dr. Authement has developed several alternative plans to increase the number of online practice quizzes his students complete. Which plan below is CORRECTLY matched with the reinforcement schedule it illustrates?
A) 1 bonus point for every 2 online practice quizzes completed - continuous schedule
B) 1 bonus point awarded every 2 weeks if 2 or more quizzes have been completed - fixed-ratio schedule
C) 1 bonus point awarded every now and then (about 2 weeks on average) if 2 or more quizzes have been completed recently - variable-interval
D) 0.5 bonus point awarded for each quiz completed - fixed-interval schedule

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Plan C is a variable-interval schedule because the bonus point is awarded "every now and then" with an average interval of about 2 weeks. This type of schedule tends to produce a steady rate of responding because the reinforcement is unpredictable but still reliable. Plan A is incorrect because it is a fixed-ratio schedule (reinforcement is based on a set number of responses), not continuous. Plan B is incorrect because it is a fixed-interval schedule (reinforcement is based on the passage of time). Plan D is incorrect because it is a fixed-interval schedule, not a fixed-ratio schedule.

Dr Authement Has Developed Several Alternative Plans to Increase the Number