Slot machines operate on a _____ reinforcement schedule.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Slot machines use a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule, which means the player is reinforced (in this case, wins money) after an unpredictable number of presses. This leads to high rates of responding (i.e., playing) because the player never knows when they will win and wants to keep trying. Fixed-ratio reinforcement schedules would require a specific number of presses to receive the reinforcement, and fixed-interval and variable-interval schedules are based on time passing rather than specific behaviors.

Slot Machines Operate on a _____ Reinforcement Schedule