Sarah gets a weekly allowance, but only if all of her chores are completed by 5 P.M. on Friday night. Although Sarah does some work around the house during the week, she completes most of her chores in a burst of activity after she comes home from school on Friday afternoon. Sarah's behavior is being maintained on a _____ schedule of reinforcement.
A) variable-ratio
B) fixed-ratio
C) variable-interval
D) fixed-interval

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sarah's allowance is being delivered on a weekly fixed interval schedule, meaning the reinforcement (allowance) is only given after a fixed period of time (one week) has passed, regardless of the number of chores completed. The fact that Sarah completes most of her chores on Friday afternoon indicates that her behavior is being influenced by the impending deadline of the fixed interval.

Sarah Gets a Weekly Allowance, but Only If All of Her