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 and does not stop, even when a food pellet is delivered. In this example, the reinforcement schedule that is in place is MOST likely a _____ schedule.
A)fixed-interval
B)variable-ratio
C)fixed-ratio
D)variable-interval

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The behavior described is characteristic of a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule, where a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses. This schedule creates a high and steady rate of responding, as the rat cannot predict which lever press will result in a food pellet, leading to continuous pressing.

You Are Watching a Rat Pressing a Lever in a Skinner