Jerry and his brother Joe both work in manufacturing plants, but Jerry gets a regular paycheck, whereas Joe is paid according to the number of items he produces. The difference between the way that Jerry gets paid and the way Joe gets paid is the difference between ________ schedules.
A) fixed interval and fixed ratio
B) fixed interval and variable ratio
C) variable interval and fixed ratio
D) variable interval and continuous
E) variable interval and variable ratio

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

With a fixed interval schedule, workers are rewarded after a certain amount of time, and the length of time between reinforcement periods stays the same. Every time an employee gets a paycheck after a predetermined period of time, he or she is being reinforced on a fixed interval schedule. Fixed ratio schedules reinforce behaviors after a certain number of them have been exhibited. Consistent with this, some manufacturing plants have created piece-rate pay systems, in which workers are paid according to the number of items they produce.

Jerry and His Brother Joe Both Work in Manufacturing Plants