All other things being equal,an animal trained on which of the following schedules of reinforcement should experience extinction most quickly when the reinforcement is removed?
A)fixed-interval schedule
B)fixed-ratio schedule
C)variable-ratio schedule
D)variable-interval schedule

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Animals trained on a fixed-ratio schedule will experience the quickest extinction when reinforcement is removed because they have learned to expect a specific number of responses before receiving the reinforcement. When the reinforcement is removed, the animal will quickly realize that no amount of responses will lead to reinforcement, and the behavior will extinguish. In contrast, animals trained on variable-ratio or variable-interval schedules may continue to perform the behavior for longer periods of time, even without reinforcement, due to the unpredictability of when the reinforcement may come. Fixed-interval schedules provide reinforcement after a certain amount of time has passed, regardless of how many responses were made, and can also lead to slower extinction.

All Other Things Being Equal,an Animal Trained on Which of the Following