Question

Although it is unknown if one must buy 1, 10, or 100 scratch-off lottery tickets to get a winning ticket, it is probable that if one keeps buying, eventually one will get a winner. In fact, maybe the very next ticket will be a winner. Therefore, buying scratch-off lottery tickets is reinforced according to a _____ schedul

Answer 1

Variable ratio

Step-by-step explanation:

First, there are two different types of reinforcement:

• Positive
• Negative

The positive reinforcement applies a stimulus to increase the frequency of the desirable variable.

The negative reinforcement removes a stimulus to increase the frequency of the desirable variable.

However, the positive reinforcement divides itself in different types:

• Continuous
• Partial

A continuous reinforcement schedule gives us a reinforcement every time we engaged in the desired conduct.

On the other side, the partial reinforcement schedule doesn't give us a reinforcement every time, but also divides itself in

• Ratio
• Interval

And these divide themselves in fixed or variable.

• The fixed ratio schedule gives a reinforcement after a fixed number of desired responses.

• The variable ratio schedule gives a reinforcement after a changing number of desired responses.

• The fixed interval schedule gives a reinforcement after a constant amount of time.

• The variable interval schedule gives a reinforcement after a variable amount of time.

So, in other words, ratio has to do with number of responses while interval has to do with amount of time.

In the example, you don't know how many lottery tickets you must buy to get a winning ticket. But technically, if you keep buying, you will get a winner one (after an unknown number of attempts).

Therefore, buying scratch-lottery tickets is a reinforced according to a variable ratio schedule.