Question

read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.

duke is practicing his spelling in the classroom. duke is going to receive reinforcement after six demonstrations of the target behavior, which is spelling a word correctly.

which of the following statements is true?
a. duke is on a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement.
b. duke is on a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement.
c. duke is on a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.
d. duke is on a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

please select the best answer from the choices provided

Explanation:

Analyze the reinforcement schedule type

The scenario states that Duke receives reinforcement after a specific number of responses: "after six demonstrations of the target behavior, which is spelling a word correctly."

• Because reinforcement is based on the number of correct behaviors (responses) rather than elapsed time, it is a ratio schedule.
• Because the number of required behaviors is constant and unchanging (exactly six times), it is a fixed schedule.

Match with the correct option

A fixed number of responses corresponds to a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

• Option A (fixed-interval) is incorrect because it is based on a set amount of time.
• Option B (variable-interval) is incorrect because it is based on varying amounts of time.
• Option C (fixed-ratio) is correct because it is based on a set number of responses.
• Option D (variable-ratio) is incorrect because it is based on a varying number of responses.

Answer:

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