Question 1

Daniel is a hunter, and he is out in a duck blind watching for ducks flying overhead.Based on what is known about schedules of reinforcement, you should conclude that Daniel's watching behavior is likely to be reinforced based on a:

Accepted Answer

Daniel's watching behavior for ducks is most similar to a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement because the ducks appear at unpredictable time intervals, not after a set number of actions or a fixed amount of time.

Question 2

The pigeon is still pecking the key at a steady, rapid pace, even though no reinforcement has been given for a long time.The pigeon probably was trained on a:

Accepted Answer

The pigeon's behavior suggests it was trained on a variable-ratio schedule, where reinforcements are given after an unpredictable number of responses. This schedule tends to produce high, steady rates of responding and persistence in the behavior even when reinforcement is no longer provided.

Question 3

With operant conditioning, if a response will only be reinforced after a specified, unchanging number of responses has previously been made, the reinforcement schedule that is in place is referred to as a:

Accepted Answer

In a fixed-ratio schedule, reinforcement occurs after a specific, unchanging number of responses has been made. This is different from a variable-ratio schedule, which provides reinforcement after a varying number of responses, or a fixed-interval or variable-interval schedule, which are based on intervals of time rather than number of responses.

Question 4

Marcel runs a carpet cleaning business, and he asks his clients to pay for each square foot of carpet that is cleaned, rather than paying an hourly rate for having their carpets done.Based on what is known about schedules of reinforcement, you should conclude that Marcel prefers to work when he is being reinforced on a:

Accepted Answer

A fixed-ratio schedule is when reinforcement is given after a specific number of responses, in this case, after each square foot of carpet cleaned. This schedule tends to result in high and steady levels of responding because the person knows exactly how many responses are required to receive reinforcement. Therefore, Marcel is likely to prefer working on a fixed-ratio schedule.

Question 5

Karl has been trying to reach Myra for 45 minutes, but her phone is busy.He redials every few minutes, but he still hasn't been able to get through.Based on what is known about schedules of reinforcement, you should conclude that Karl's redialing is being reinforced based on a:

Accepted Answer

Karl's behavior of redialing is reinforced on a variable-interval schedule because he receives reinforcement (getting through to Myra) at unpredictable time intervals, despite how many times he attempts the action.

Question 6

Robin sells cars at an auto dealership, and she earns a commission for each car that she sells.Based on what is known about schedules of reinforcement, you should conclude that Robin's car selling is being reinforced based on a:

Accepted Answer

Robin's commission is likely based on a fixed number of cars sold, which aligns with a fixed-ratio schedule where reinforcement is provided after a set number of responses.

Question 7

With operant conditioning, when a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement is in place, a response will only be reinforced after:

Accepted Answer

With a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement, the reinforcement is given after an unpredictable period of time has elapsed. This type of schedule tends to lead to strong and consistent responding, as the individual does not know exactly when they will receive the reinforcement, and must continue to perform the desired behavior in order to increase their chances of reinforcement.

Question 8

Anita is an author who submits short poems to magazines.She never knows for sure which poems will be selected for publication, but the more poems she submits, the more likely she is to have a poem accepted.Based on what is known about schedules of reinforcement, you should conclude that Anita's submission of poems is being reinforced based on a:

Accepted Answer

With a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is provided after a variable number of responses. In this case, Anita's submission of poems is reinforced when one of her poems is selected for publication. She does not know how many submissions will be required before a poem is accepted, but the more poems she submits, the more likely she is to have a poem accepted. This is similar to a variable-ratio schedule, in which reinforcement is provided after a variable number of responses or actions. This type of reinforcement schedule tends to be highly resistant to extinction, meaning that it is unlikely that Anita will stop submitting poems, even if her poems are not accepted for publication every time.

Question 9

With operant conditioning, when a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement is in place a response will only be reinforced after:

Accepted Answer

In a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement, a response is only reinforced after a specified, unchanging number of responses have been made. For example, a rat might receive a food pellet after pressing a lever five times. This type of schedule typically leads to high rates of responding, as the animal knows exactly how many responses are required to obtain the reinforcement.

Question 10

With operant conditioning, when a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement is in place, a response will only be reinforced after:

Accepted Answer

In a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement, a reward is only given after a specified, unchanging period of time has elapsed since the last response. This means that the behavior is only reinforced after a certain amount of time has passed, not after a certain number of responses or an unpredictable period of time.

Question 11

With operant conditioning, if a response will only be reinforced after an unpredictable period of time has elapsed, the type of reinforcement schedule that is in place is referred to as a:

Accepted Answer

Variable-interval schedule is when reinforcement is provided after an unpredictable amount of time has elapsed. fixed-ratio schedule reinforces a behavior after a fixed number of responses, variable-ratio schedule provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, and fixed-interval schedule provides reinforcement after a fixed amount of time has elapsed.

Question 12

With operant conditioning, when a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement is in place, a response will only be reinforced after:

Accepted Answer

In variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement, a response will only be reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses have been made. This type of schedule tends to produce high and steady rates of responding since the individual cannot predict exactly when the next reinforcement will occur. This schedule is commonly seen in gambling and lottery games, where the individual keeps playing due to the unpredictability of the reward.

Question 13

With operant conditioning, if a response will only be reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses have been made, the type of reinforcement schedule that is in place is referred to as a:

Accepted Answer

In a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given after an unpredictable number of responses, which makes it a strong and persistent form of reinforcement. This is in contrast to a fixed-ratio schedule, which provides reinforcement after a fixed number of responses, a fixed-interval schedule which provides reinforcement after a fixed amount of time has passed, or a variable-interval schedule which provides reinforcement after an unpredictable amount of time has passed.

Question 14

Sergei is a professional hockey player.He never knows for sure which one of his shots will score, but the more shots he takes the more likely he is to score a goal.Based on what is known about schedules of reinforcement, you should conclude that Sergei's shots at the goal are being reinforced based on a:

Accepted Answer

A variable-ratio schedule is a type of reinforcement schedule where reinforcement is provided after an unpredictable number of responses. In Sergei's case, he is not sure which shot will score, but taking more shots increases his chances of scoring. This is similar to a variable-ratio schedule, where the more responses a subject gives, the more likely they are to receive reinforcement. Therefore, Sergei's shots are being reinforced based on a variable-ratio schedule.

Question 15

You are watching a pigeon pecking a key for food reinforcement.The pigeon pecks the key at a very high, steady rate and does not stop, even when the food is delivered.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:

Accepted Answer

A variable-ratio schedule tends to produce a high and steady rate of responding because the pigeon cannot predict after how many pecks food will be delivered, so it keeps pecking at a high rate to ensure reinforcement.

Question 16

You are watching a pigeon pecking a key for food reinforcement.The pigeon pecks at a very high, steady rate, but it also takes breaks from pecking each time food is delivered.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:

Accepted Answer

A fixed-ratio schedule is a reinforcement schedule in which a behavior is reinforced only after a specific number of responses. The high, steady rate of pecking suggests that the pigeon knows that a certain number of pecks will result in food delivery. The breaks in pecking after each delivery also suggest that the pigeon is aware of when it has reached the required number of responses for reinforcement. Therefore, the pattern of responding observed is most consistent with a fixed-ratio schedule.

Question 17

Liza likes to play slot machines when she takes trips to Las Vegas.She never knows which quarter will cause a slot machine to "hit," but she also knows that the more times she plays, the more likely she is to hit a jackpot.Based on what is known about schedules of reinforcement, you should conclude that Liza's gambling is being reinforced based on a:

Accepted Answer

Liza's behavior is being reinforced based on a variable-ratio schedule, as she never knows how many quarters she will need to play before hitting the jackpot. This type of schedule is known to be very effective in maintaining behavior, as the uncertainty of the reward makes it more appealing and keeps the individual motivated to continue the behavior.

Question 18

Marlene likes to get email, and she checks her electronic mailbox frequently.Sometimes she gets 15 messages in a single day, and sometimes several days can go by with no new messages coming in.Based on what is known about schedules of reinforcement, you should conclude that Marlene's behavior of "checking her email" is being reinforced based on a:

Accepted Answer

A fixed-ratio schedule would involve Marlene getting reinforced for checking her email after a certain number of emails received, which does not fit the description. A variable-ratio schedule would involve Marlene getting reinforced after a random number of emails received, which also does not fit the description. A fixed-interval schedule would involve Marlene getting reinforced for checking her email after a certain amount of time has passed, which does not fit the description either. The best fit is a variable-interval schedule, where Marlene gets reinforced for checking her email after a random amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement (getting an email). This explains why she continues to check frequently, even when there are no new messages coming in, because she knows there is a chance she will get reinforced for checking.

Question 19

Sophie is stuffing envelopes for a marketing firm.She receives $1.00 for every 50 envelopes she stuffs.Based on what is known about schedules of reinforcement, you should conclude that Sophie's envelope stuffing is reinforced on:

Accepted Answer

Sophie receives a fixed amount of reinforcement (i.e., $1.00) after completing a fixed ratio of responses (i.e., 50 envelopes). This is a clear example of a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Question 20

You are watching a pigeon pecking a key for food reinforcement.The pigeon pecks at a fairly slow rate, but with no noticeable pauses or changes in pecking rate.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:

Accepted Answer

A variable-interval schedule typically produces a moderate but steady rate of response, without the pauses that are characteristic of some other schedules. Since the pigeon is pecking at a slow but steady rate, this suggests a variable-interval schedule is in place. Fixed-ratio and variable-ratio schedules often produce higher rates of responding with a post-reinforcement pause, especially the fixed-ratio schedule. A fixed-interval schedule typically produces a scallop-shaped pattern of responding, with a pause after reinforcement and then an increasing rate of response as the interval comes to an end, which does not match the described behavior.

Quiz 7: Learning From Experience