Final answer:
Mrs. Adams's variable ratio schedule in her classroom is a partial reinforcement strategy where rewards are given after an unpredictable number of responses, leading to high and steady response rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The variable ratio schedule that Mrs. Adams practices in her classroom is a type of partial reinforcement schedule where the number of responses required before a reward is given varies. This approach results in high and steady rates of the desired behavior as students cannot predict after how many responses they will receive a reinforcement. This concept is derived from the field of psychology and is often used to maintain a high level of performance without needing constant reinforcement, making it a highly efficient strategy in various teaching contexts.
An example of a variable ratio reinforcement schedule could be a scenario where students answer questions in class, and Mrs. Adams gives out tokens for correct answers at unpredictable intervals. This would encourage students to consistently participate, as they would not know when the next reward might be given, but know that the more they participate, the more likely they are to receive a token.