Question

continuously checking to see if a batch of cookies is done baking is an example of the _____ schedule of reinforcement. variable - ratio fixed - ratio fixed - interval variable - interval

Explanation:

• Variable - ratio: Reinforcement after a variable number of responses. Not relevant here as it's about time (checking when done baking).
• Fixed - ratio: Reinforcement after a fixed number of responses. Not about number of responses but time.
• Fixed - interval: Reinforcement after a fixed time period. But here, the time until cookies are done is variable (could be a bit earlier or later than expected), so not fixed.
• Variable - interval: Reinforcement after a variable time period. Checking continuously (variable time between checks until the "reinforcement" of cookies being done) fits this.

Answer:

variable - interval