In which of the following examples is the person likely to show the highest and steadiest rate of response over time?
A) In hopes of winning a big jackpot, Penny plays the slot machines at a nearby casino.
B) Sam earns extra money by mowing his neighbors' lawns in the summer and shoveling their driveways and sidewalks in the winter. He charges $20 per job.
C) Hoping to catch a message from her boyfriend, Wendy checks her e-mail again and again throughout the day.
D) Jaime has a paper due once a month in his sociology course. His productivity is low at the beginning of the month and high as the deadline approaches.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Slot machines at casinos operate on a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement, which tends to produce a high and steady rate of response because the reward (winning) is unpredictable.

In Which of the Following Examples Is the Person Likely