Question 1

Five-year-old Tommy is helping get ready for a family reunion at Thanksgiving by polishing the good silverware. If his mother gives him a dime for each piece he polishes, what kind of reinforcement schedule is she using?
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

The mother is using a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule because she is giving Tommy a set amount (a dime) for each piece of silverware he polishes.

Question 2

On a fixed-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given ________.
A) for correct responses after randomly varying amounts of time have passed
B) after a specific number of responses are given
C) for the first correct response after a specific amount of time has passed
D) after a randomly varying number of responses are given

Accepted Answer

On a fixed-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given after a specific number of responses are given. This means that a set number of correct responses must be made before reinforcement is given.

Question 3

A person receiving a monthly salary is on a:
A) continuous reinforcement schedule.
B) fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.
C) fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement.
D) variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

A person receiving a monthly salary is on a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement, as they receive the reinforcement (salary) on a fixed time interval (monthly).

Question 4

Abigail is trying to figure out how she can BEST use employee pay to shape her employees' behavior. She is worried about consistent behavior, not speed. Therefore, she is interested in getting a slow but steady rate of response from her workers. According to reinforcement principles, she should probably use a ________ schedule.
A) fixed-ratio
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

A variable-interval schedule of reinforcement is best for creating a slow but steady rate of response. This schedule provides reinforcement after an unpredictable amount of time passes, which encourages consistent behavior without the expectation of immediate rewards.

Question 5

The schedule of reinforcement that yields the slowest increase in a behavior and the fastest extinction of the behavior when the schedule is stopped is ________.
A) variable ratio
B) continuous reinforcement
C) partial reinforcement
D) fixed interval

Accepted Answer

Continuous reinforcement, where the behavior is reinforced every time it occurs, yields the fastest acquisition of behavior, but also the fastest extinction when the reinforcement is stopped. On the other hand, partial reinforcement, where the behavior is only reinforced intermittently, yields a slower increase in behavior but also slower extinction of the behavior when reinforcement is stopped. Therefore, partial reinforcement is not the correct answer as it would not yield the fastest extinction of behavior. Variable ratio, where the behavior is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses, can be very resistant to extinction and so is not the correct answer either. Fixed interval, where the behavior is reinforced after a fixed period of time, could yield a slow increase in behavior but typically does not result in the fastest extinction of behavior.

Question 6

If Billy was praised every 4th time he collected rocks without throwing them, his behavior would be on which schedule of reinforcement?
A) variable ratio
B) fixed interval
C) fixed ratio
D) variable interval

Accepted Answer

This is a Fixed Ratio (FR) schedule because the reinforcement occurs on a fixed number of responses (every 4th time the behavior occurs).

Question 7

The only vending machine in your dorm is notorious for delivering its merchandise only occasionally when people put money in it. This is most similar to a _______ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

A variable ratio schedule of reinforcement delivers rewards after an unpredictable number of responses. This unpredictability is similar to the vending machine's occasional delivery of products, making it most akin to a variable ratio schedule. Fixed interval and fixed ratio schedules involve predictable patterns, and a variable interval schedule involves unpredictable time intervals, not the unpredictability of responses leading to reinforcement.

Question 8

A very high rate of responding is produced by a _______ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

A variable ratio schedule of reinforcement produces the highest rate of responding among the different reinforcement schedules. This is because the reinforcement is delivered after a variable number of responses, making it unpredictable and less likely for the individual to stop responding.

Question 9

On a variable-interval schedule, reinforcement is given _______.
A)  for the first correct response after a specific amount of time has passed
B)  for correct responses after randomly varying amounts of time have passed
C)  after a specific number of responses are given
D)  after a randomly varying number of responses are given

Accepted Answer

On a variable-interval schedule, reinforcement is given for correct responses after randomly varying amounts of time have passed.

Question 10

Perry works at a job where he is paid by commission. For every car Perry sells, he gets 10% of the profits. Perry is being reinforced on a _______ schedule.
A) fixed-ratio
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

Perry is being reinforced on a fixed-ratio schedule because he receives a reward (commission) after a specific number of behaviors (selling a car), which is a consistent and predictable pattern.

Question 11

Gretta spends a lot of time at the race track betting on ponies, and occasionally she wins. The frequency of her betting is controlled by which of the following?
A) fixed ratio schedules
B) a continuous reinforcement schedule
C) a partial schedule of reinforcement
D) luck

Accepted Answer

The frequency of Gretta's betting is likely controlled by a partial schedule of reinforcement, meaning she only gets rewarded (wins money) sometimes, which keeps her coming back to bet more.

Question 12

Linda sees a sign on a farmer's fence that reads: HELP ME PICK STRAWBERRIES FOR EVERY 5 QUARTS YOU PICK, KEEP ONE FOR YOURSELF. If Linda decides to pick strawberries for this farmer, she would be under a _______ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

The sign on the farmer's fence indicates a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement because Linda has to pick a fixed number of strawberries (5 quarts) in order to receive a reward (keeping one quart for herself).

Question 13

Sandy's favorite activity is to go to Las Vegas and play the slot machines. Her gambling behavior is being reinforced on a _______ schedule.
A) fixed-ratio
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

Variable-ratio schedules are the most effective in reinforcing behavior. In a variable-ratio schedule, the reinforcement is delivered after an unpredictable number of responses. Because Sandy does not know how many times she needs to play the slot machines to win, she continues to play, as the next try could be the one that wins. This schedule is used by Las Vegas casinos to keep people gambling.

Question 14

Scott works at a job where he is paid a salary every 2 weeks. Scott is being reinforced on a _______ schedule.
A) fixed-ratio
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

Scott is being paid on a fixed-interval schedule because he is receiving reinforcement (salary) after a fixed amount of time (2 weeks).

Question 15

On a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given _______.
A)  for the first correct response after a specific amount of time has passed
B) for correct responses after randomly varying amounts of time have passed
C) after a specific number of responses are given
D)  after a randomly varying number of responses are given

Accepted Answer

On a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given after a randomly varying number of responses are given. This is a powerful reinforcement schedule because it tends to produce high and steady rates of responding as there is no specific pattern or number of responses required to receive the reinforcement.

Question 16

Your professor has informed you at the beginning of the term that you will have eight tests--but they will all be unannounced. This is most similar to a _______ reinforcement schedule.
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

In a variable interval reinforcement schedule, the reinforcement is given after a variable amount of time has passed, but the behavior is still being reinforced. In this scenario, the reinforcement (the test) is given after a variable amount of time has passed (between tests), but the behavior (studying and preparation) is still being reinforced. The other reinforcement schedules do not fit this scenario as well.

Question 17

Which schedule of reinforcement reinforces the first correct response after a constant interval of time has elapsed?
A) fixed ratio
B) variable ratio
C) fixed interval
D) variable interval

Accepted Answer

Fixed interval schedules reinforce the first response after a fixed amount of time has passed, making it the correct choice.

Question 18

Abigail is trying to figure out how she can BEST use employee pay to shape her employees' behavior. She is interested in short-term productivity (speed), not consistency, long-term productivity, or employee turnover. According to reinforcement theory, she should probably use a _______ schedule.
A) fixed-ratio
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

The answer of Abigail is trying to figure out how...

Question 19

An infant who is fed every four hours is on a schedule that is SIMILAR to which of the following?
A) fixed ratio
B) variable ratio
C) fixed interval
D) variable interval

Accepted Answer

The infant's feeding schedule is a fixed interval schedule, where reinforcement (in this case, food) is delivered after a fixed amount of time has passed (4 hours). This is similar to an employee who gets paid every two weeks, or a student who receives a grade report at the end of each semester.

Question 20

On a fixed-interval schedule, reinforcement is given ________.
A) for the first correct response after a specific amount of time has passed
B) for correct responses after randomly varying amounts of time have passed
C)  after a specific number of responses are given
D)  after a randomly varying number of responses are given

Accepted Answer

In a fixed-interval schedule, reinforcement is given for the first response after a specific period of time has elapsed, not based on the number of responses.

Quiz 5: Learning

Five-year-old Tommy is helping get ready for a family reunion at Thanksgiving by polishing the good silverware. If his mother gives him a dime for each piece he polishes, what kind of reinforcement schedule is she using?

On a fixed-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given ________.

A person receiving a monthly salary is on a:

The schedule of reinforcement that yields the slowest increase in a behavior and the fastest extinction of the behavior when the schedule is stopped is ________.

If Billy was praised every 4th time he collected rocks without throwing them, his behavior would be on which schedule of reinforcement?

The only vending machine in your dorm is notorious for delivering its merchandise only occasionally when people put money in it. This is most similar to a _______ schedule of reinforcement.

A very high rate of responding is produced by a _______ schedule of reinforcement.

On a variable-interval schedule, reinforcement is given _______.

Perry works at a job where he is paid by commission. For every car Perry sells, he gets 10% of the profits. Perry is being reinforced on a _______ schedule.

Gretta spends a lot of time at the race track betting on ponies, and occasionally she wins. The frequency of her betting is controlled by which of the following?

Linda sees a sign on a farmer's fence that reads: HELP ME PICK STRAWBERRIES FOR EVERY 5 QUARTS YOU PICK, KEEP ONE FOR YOURSELF. If Linda decides to pick strawberries for this farmer, she would be under a _______ schedule of reinforcement.

Sandy's favorite activity is to go to Las Vegas and play the slot machines. Her gambling behavior is being reinforced on a _______ schedule.

Scott works at a job where he is paid a salary every 2 weeks. Scott is being reinforced on a _______ schedule.

On a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given _______.

Your professor has informed you at the beginning of the term that you will have eight tests--but they will all be unannounced. This is most similar to a _______ reinforcement schedule.

Which schedule of reinforcement reinforces the first correct response after a constant interval of time has elapsed?

Abigail is trying to figure out how she can BEST use employee pay to shape her employees' behavior. She is interested in short-term productivity (speed) , not consistency, long-term productivity, or employee turnover. According to reinforcement theory, she should probably use a _______ schedule.

An infant who is fed every four hours is on a schedule that is SIMILAR to which of the following?

On a fixed-interval schedule, reinforcement is given ________.