Question

read the scenario below and answer the question that follows. molly is eating red and black jellybeans from a paper bag. she is not looking at the jellybeans as she eats them. she likes red jellybeans, but she does not like black jellybeans. the amount of jellybeans she has to take from the jar before she gets a red one is never the same. which of the following statements is true? 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. please select the best answer from the choices provided

Explanation:

In a variable - ratio schedule, reinforcement (getting a red jellybean here) occurs after an unpredictable number of responses (taking jellybeans). Molly doesn't know how many black jellybeans (responses) she'll take before getting a red one (reinforcement), which matches this schedule. Fixed - ratio (C) has a set number of responses, fixed - interval (A) has a set time, and variable - interval (B) has an unpredictable time, none of which fit as well as variable - ratio.

Answer:

D. Molly is on a variable - ratio schedule of reinforcement.