Question

question 11 (4 points)
purchasing state lottery tickets is reinforced with monetary winnings on a ______ schedule.
fixed - interval
variable - interval
fixed - ratio
variable - ratio
question 12 (4 points)
negative reinforcers ____ the rate of operant responding and punishments ____ the rate of operant responding
increase; decrease
decrease; increase
decrease; decrease
have no effect on; decrease

Explanation:

• Question 11: In operant conditioning, a variable - ratio schedule means reinforcement occurs after an unpredictable number of responses. Lottery tickets are reinforced on a variable - ratio schedule because you don't know how many tickets you need to buy to win (the number of responses before reinforcement is variable). A fixed - interval schedule is based on time (e.g., reinforcement every 5 minutes), a variable - interval is based on variable time, and a fixed - ratio is based on a fixed number of responses (e.g., every 10th response).
• Question 12: Negative reinforcers increase the rate of operant responding. They work by removing an aversive stimulus when a behavior is performed (e.g., taking an aspirin to remove a headache, which makes you more likely to take aspirin in the future). Punishments decrease the rate of operant responding. They involve adding an aversive stimulus (e.g., giving a fine for speeding, which makes you less likely to speed).

Answer:

• Question 11: Variable - ratio
• Question 12: Increase; decrease