You are watching a rat pressing a lever in a Skinner box to obtain food pellets. The rat is pressing the lever at a very high rate, but it takes a break from lever pressing each time a food pellet is delivered. In this example, the reinforcement schedule that is in place is MOST likely
A) a fixed-interval schedule.
B) a variable-ratio schedule.
C) a variable-interval schedule.
D) a fixed-ratio schedule.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a fixed-ratio schedule, reinforcement is provided after a set number of responses. The rat presses the lever at a high rate because it knows a specific number of presses will yield a reward, and it takes a break after receiving the food pellet, indicating a fixed pattern of reinforcement.

You Are Watching a Rat Pressing a Lever in a Skinner