The schedule of reinforcement that yields the slowest increase in a behaviour and the fastest extinction of the behaviour when the schedule is stopped is ________.
A)variable ratio
B)continuous reinforcement
C)partial reinforcement
D)fixed interval

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Continuous reinforcement provides a reinforcement after every response, thus increasing the behavior quickly. However, when this schedule is stopped, the behavior extinguishes quickly as well. Partial reinforcement schedules lead to slower increases in behavior but also slower extinction rates, as the behavior is less predictable. Variable ratio schedules may provide a slow increase in behavior at first but lead to high and consistent response rates and resistance to extinction over time. Fixed interval schedules lead to a slow and predictable increase in behavior, but there is often a "scallop" pattern in responding as the reinforcement is only provided after a fixed amount of time has elapsed.

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