Extinction will proceed MOST rapidly if behavior previously had been maintained under a(n)_____ schedule of reinforcement.
A)continuous
B)intermittent
C)variable ratio
D)variable interval

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Extinction tends to occur more rapidly for behaviors that were maintained under a continuous reinforcement schedule because the subject expects a reward after every behavior. When the rewards stop, the behavior quickly decreases since the expectation of reinforcement is not met. In contrast, intermittent schedules, including variable ratio and variable interval, make the behavior more resistant to extinction because the subject is used to not getting reinforced every time.

Extinction Will Proceed MOST Rapidly If Behavior Previously Had Been