Question

Susan is watching a football game when the game goes to commercial. She knows that each commercial break during the game takes a different amount of time to resolve. She gets up to make a snack for herself. She checks back frequently to see if the game is back from commercial. After 3 minutes and 30 seconds, the game comes back on and Susan returns to the room. Which of the following statements is true? A. Susan is on a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement. B. Susan is on a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement. C. Susan is on a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement. D. Susan is on a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 1

B.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

The right option is; B. Susan is on a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement.

A variable interval schedule of reinforcement is the one that involves the application of reinforcement (reward) to a response (specific behavior) after an inconsistent amount of time has passed. In this type of operant conditioning reinforcement schedule, the amount of time changes (on a variable schedule), and the reinforcement is applied after the unspecified amount of time passes. From the given question, Susan is on a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement because the amount of time of each commercial breaks during the game is on a changing/variable schedule (differs) and is unpredictable.