Every member of the space selling team at Sportetine, a monthly sports magazine, is given a target of eight full-page advertisements. A member might receive his or her bonus after he or she secures seven, nine, or ten advertisements per month provided he or she manages to secure an average of eight advertisements. In the context of reinforcement theory of motivation, which of the following intermittent reinforcement schedules does this scenario best illustrate?
A) A fixed interval reinforcement schedule
B) A fixed ratio reinforcement schedule
C) A variable interval reinforcement schedule
D) A variable ratio reinforcement schedule

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This scenario best illustrates a variable ratio reinforcement schedule, where the reward (bonus) is given at a variable number of responses (number of advertisements secured), but on average, after every eight advertisements. This type of schedule is considered to be the most effective at promoting and maintaining high levels of performance, as it provides unpredictability in the timing of the reward and encourages continuous effort to achieve the target.

Every Member of the Space Selling Team at Sportetine, a Monthly