Which schedule of reinforcement is most effective at maintaining behaviors?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Intermittent reinforcement is the most effective schedule of reinforcement for maintaining behaviors. This is because it creates a stronger connection between the behavior and the reward, as the individual is unsure when they will receive the reward. This makes the individual more likely to continue engaging in the behavior in order to receive the reward, even if it is only given intermittently. Continuous reinforcement can lead to habituation and extinction, while extinction is not a schedule of reinforcement and ratio schedules may create a sense of predictability that reduces the effectiveness of the reinforcement.

Which Schedule of Reinforcement Is Most Effective at Maintaining Behaviors