Final answer:
Behavior rewarded occasionally is on a partial reinforcement schedule, with a variable ratio schedule being the most effective, producing high and steady response rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Behavior that is rewarded some but not all of the time is on a partial reinforcement schedule. Within this category, if the reinforcement is based on an unpredictable number of responses, it is known as a variable ratio reinforcement schedule. This type of reinforcement schedule is considered the most effective to maintain behaviors because it produces high and steady response rates with little pause after reinforcement, making it very resistant to extinction. In the example of slot machines, they reward gamblers with money according to a variable ratio reinforcement schedule, as the number of responses (i.e., spins or bets made) required for a reward varies making it unpredictable.
In a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule, a set number of responses must occur before a behavior is rewarded, which can lead to a high rate of response but with a short pause after reinforcement. An example of this would be a sales commission structure where a salesperson earns a reward after selling a certain number of items. In contrast, a fixed interval reinforcement schedule provides reinforcement after a set amount of time, such as prescription medication being administered at fixed hourly intervals, which can result in a scallop-shaped response pattern indicating a significant pause after reinforcement. The least predictable pattern, variable interval reinforcement schedule, offers reinforcement at random time intervals, leading to moderate, but steady response rates, as in the example of a manager who never knows when a quality control inspection may occur but keeps steady performance to earn occasional bonuses for their team.