Final answer:
Learning occurs most rapidly under a continuous reinforcement schedule, yet this type of reinforcement also leads to the quickest extinction once the reinforcement ceases. Variable ratio schedules are more resistant to extinction but do not facilitate learning as rapidly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Learning occurs most rapidly under a continuous reinforcement schedule, but the behavior is likely to cease when the reinforcement stops. Continuous reinforcement involves rewarding the behavior every single time it occurs, which is highly effective for teaching a new behavior. For instance, giving a dog a treat every time it sits is an example of this schedule. However, the drawback is that once the reward stops being given, the newly learned behavior often stops as well, a process known as extinction.
In contrast, partial reinforcement, especially the variable ratio schedule, leads to behaviors that are more resistant to extinction. Under a variable ratio schedule, reinforcement is based on an unpredictable number of responses, which encourages a high and steady response rate. For example, gamblers are under a variable ratio reinforcement schedule, as the number of attempts before winning varies. In terms of resistance to extinction and the speed of learning, a continuous reinforcement schedule is best for rapid learning, but variable ratio schedules lead to more persistent behaviors.