Final answer:
The purchase of lottery tickets consistently falls under a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule because the reward (winning) occurs after an unpredictable number of purchases, leading to a high and consistent rate of engagement. The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The kind of reinforcement schedule that relates to buying lottery tickets on a regular basis is the variable-ratio schedule.
This schedule of reinforcement is defined by the delivery of a reward after an unpredictable number of responses. It is what makes gambling and lottery so addictive, as the individual never knows when the next payout will occur, leading to steady and high response rates without a pause after reinforcement.
Unlike fixed schedules, variable ones are based on varying patterns, which increases the likelihood of behavior being repeated because the reinforcement is unexpected.
The variable-ratio schedule maintains behavior even during long periods without reinforcement, making it the most resistant to extinction among different reinforcement schedules. The correct option is B.