Imagine being quizzed by your teacher on schedules of reinforcement. You are asked to name the schedule that generates the highest rate of responding and the greatest resistance to extinction. You are told further that gamblers are often under the control of this schedule. You should respond that this describes a ________ schedule of reinforcement.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Variable-ratio schedules of reinforcement are known for producing high rates of responding and significant resistance to extinction, similar to the behavior observed in gambling.  In a VR schedule, the average number of responses between reinforcers is predetermined. When the reinforcement will come is unclear, so we are left guessing until reinforcement appears. On the premise that it might be the very next response, we respond in a steady, continuous way.

Imagine Being Quizzed by Your Teacher on Schedules of Reinforcement