Question

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Explanation:

Identify the behavior and the reinforcer

The behavior (response) is Molly taking and eating a jellybean from the bag. The positive reinforcer is getting a red jellybean (which she likes), while getting a black jellybean is not reinforcing.

Determine if the schedule is ratio or interval

The reinforcement depends on the number of responses (the number of jellybeans she takes/eats), not on the passage of time. Therefore, this is a ratio schedule rather than an interval schedule.

Determine if the schedule is fixed or variable

The scenario states that "the amount of jellybeans she has to take... before she gets a red one is never the same." Because the number of responses required for reinforcement varies from one occasion to the next, the schedule is variable. Thus, she is on a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Answer:

• (A) Molly is on a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement.
• (B) Molly is on a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement.
• (C) Molly is on a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.
• (D) Molly is on a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement. (Correct answer)