Final answer:
The concept addressed is continuous reinforcement in operant conditioning, best for quickly teaching a new behavior by rewarding it each time it occurs. Over time, transitioning to partial reinforcement schedules can increase the behavior's resistance to extinction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the principle of continuous reinforcement in the context of operant conditioning, which is a type of learning where behavior is controlled by consequences. Continuous reinforcement occurs when a behavior is rewarded every time it is performed, leading to a quicker association between the behavior and the reward. This type of reinforcement schedule is particularly effective in establishing a new behavior because it helps to solidify the connection in the learner's mind between the desired behavior and the positive outcome. However, once the behavior is well established, switching to a partial reinforcement schedule, where rewards are given intermittently, can make the learned behavior more resistant to extinction. Extinction is a term in operant conditioning that describes the decrease in the conditioned response when the behavior is no longer followed by the reinforcement.
In practice, trainers may begin with continuous reinforcement and then transition to various types of partial reinforcement schedules. These can be fixed or variable, and interval or ratio based. The variable ratio reinforcement schedule, for instance, is known to be very resistant to extinction and encourages steady response rates.