Final answer:
True, schedules of reinforcement produce varying response patterns. Fixed schedules result in a predictable pattern of behavior, while variable schedules produce higher and steadier rates of responding.
Step-by-step explanation:
True. Schedules of reinforcement indeed produce different amounts of responding. This principle is encapsulated within the framework of operant conditioning, a theory often associated with the psychologist B.F. Skinner. When a behavior is reinforced according to different schedules—whether fixed or variable, interval or ratio—it results in varying patterns of response. For instance, with a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule, a reward is given after a set number of responses, which can result in a high rate of response followed by a pause after reinforcement. An example here could be a salesperson receiving a bonus after every tenth sale.
In contrast, a variable ratio schedule, where the number of responses required for reinforcement changes, tends to produce a high and steady rate of response without pauses after reinforcement, which can be seen in cases like gambling. Meanwhile, afixed interval schedule results in a 'scalloped' response pattern with pauses after the reinforcement is received. An example would include a patient taking pain relief medication on a scheduled basis.
Lastly, in a variable interval reinforcement schedule, reinforcement is provided after unpredictable time intervals, leading to moderate, steady response rates, as seen in scenarios where management might perform random quality checks.