Question

In the case of a child practicing a piano, any given session might end after 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 20 minutes, or 10 minutes. On average, the student will practice for half an hour before receiving the milk and cookies, but there is no telling when the reinforcers will appear.

a) Variable-ratio reinforcement

b) Fixed-interval reinforcement

c) Variable-interval reinforcement

d) Fixed-ratio reinforcement

Answer 1

The scenario presented exemplifies a variable-interval reinforcement schedule, where a child practicing piano receives reinforcement at unpredictable time intervals.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described involves a child practicing the piano and receiving milk and cookies as a reinforcement after a variable amount of time, with no set pattern as to when they will appear. This is indicative of a variable-interval reinforcement schedule. In such a schedule, reinforcements are given at unpredictable time intervals, which in this case, would mean there's no telling when after the practice session the child will receive milk and cookies. It's not a fixed ratio, as the reinforcement doesn't follow a set number of responses, nor is it a fixed interval, as it doesn't follow a set period of time. Lastly, it's not variable ratio since the reinforcement is not based on a number of responses but rather on varied time intervals.