Final answer:
Bonus marks for achieving 12 credits is an example of a Fixed Ratio schedule of reinforcement, where a specific quantity of responses dictates the reward. This contrasts with Variable Ratio schedules evident in gambling, where required responses for a reward are unpredictable.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bonus marks after achieving 12 credits is an example of a Fixed Ratio schedule of reinforcement because there is a set number of responses that must occur before a behavior is rewarded. This reinforcement schedule is comparable to how slot machines reward gamblers, which operate on a Variable Ratio schedule of reinforcement, where the number of responses needed for a reward changes and is unpredictable. Conversely, with a Fixed Interval reinforcement schedule, behavior is rewarded after a set amount of time, regardless of the number of responses. This can often lead to a scallop-shaped response pattern with significant pauses after reinforcement.
An illustration of a Fixed Ratio schedule can be seen in the commission-based sales environment, where employees like Carla at an eyeglass store earn a commission after selling a set number of glasses. This differs from a Variable Interval reinforcement schedule, exemplified by a restaurant manager who never knows when the quality control inspector will appear, thus the reinforcement (bonus) is based on varying unpredictable intervals of time.