A department store decides to use "secret shoppers" at unannounced times to test for service quality among its personnel. Store personnel are rewarded for excellent service attitudes. Which of the following reinforcement schedules would most likely apply in this situation?
A) fixed-ratio reinforcement
B) fixed-interval reinforcement
C) variable-frequency reinforcement
D) variable-interval reinforcement

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The use of secret shoppers at unannounced times creates a situation of uncertainty in terms of when reinforced behavior may occur. This aligns with the principles of variable-interval reinforcement, where reinforcement occurs after a variable and unpredictable amount of time has passed. This type of schedule is effective in maintaining consistent behavior over time, as opposed to fixed-ratio or fixed-interval schedules, which can lead to behavioral changes that are dependent on the timing or frequency of the reinforcement. The use of variable-frequency reinforcement is also possible, but may not be as effective as variable-interval reinforcement in maintaining long-term behavior patterns.

A Department Store Decides to Use "Secret Shoppers" at Unannounced