A rat's lever presses occasionally produce food.Across conditions,the food is delivered either immediately after a lever press or after some delay.Which statement is TRUE?
A)The rate of lever pressing is relatively unaffected by delays ranging from a few seconds to about 30 seconds.
B)The rate of lever pressing increases as a function of its delay.
C)The rate of lever pressing first increases and then decreases as a function of its delay.
D)The rate of lever pressing decreases as a function of its delay.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rate of lever pressing decreases as a function of its delay because immediate reinforcement is more effective than delayed reinforcement in maintaining or increasing a behavior. Delays in reinforcement typically lead to a reduction in the frequency of the behavior.

A Rat's Lever Presses Occasionally Produce Food