You are watching a pigeon pecking a key for food reinforcement.The pigeon pecks slowly right after food has been delivered, but gradually increases the rate of pecking as more time elapses.Based on what is known about the pattern of responding produced by various schedules of reinforcement, you should conclude that the reinforcement schedule that is in place for this pigeon is a:
A)fixed-ratio schedule
B)fixed-interval schedule
C)variable-ratio schedule
D)variable-interval schedule

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gradual increase in pecking rate as more time elapses is a characteristic pattern of responding produced by a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement. In this schedule, reinforcement is delivered for the first response that occurs after a fixed amount of time has elapsed since the previous reinforcement. This results in a scalloped pattern of responding, where response rate is low immediately after reinforcement and then gradually increases as the time for the next reinforcement approaches.

You Are Watching a Pigeon Pecking a Key for Food