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

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Continuous reinforcement (B) yields the fastest increase in behavior but also the fastest extinction when the reward is removed because the behavior has only been reinforced in the presence of the reward. Partial reinforcement (C) yields a slower increase in behavior but a slower extinction rate because the behavior has been reinforced intermittently and the subject is less likely to perceive that the reward has been removed. Variable ratio (A) and fixed interval (D) schedules are both partial reinforcement schedules and do not necessarily result in the slowest increase or fastest extinction of behavior.

The Schedule of Reinforcement That Yields the Slowest Increase in a Behavior