Final answer:
A fixed ratio reinforcement schedule reinforces desired behavior after a set number of responses, incentivizing quantity over quality, while slot machines operate on a variable ratio schedule, offering unpredictable rewards, making them highly engaging and resistant to extinction.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule, desired behavior is reinforced after a specified number of correct responses. The fixed ratio schedule is predictable and produces a high response rate, with a short pause after reinforcement. For example, a salesperson like Carla, who sells eyeglasses, earns a commission after every set number of pairs sold regardless of whether the customer needs additional pairs or not. This schedule incentivizes the quantity of output over quality.
Slot machines reward gamblers with money according to a variable ratio reinforcement schedule. This makes the reward system unpredictable and, therefore, highly engaging because it yields high and steady response rates without a predictable pause after reinforcement. It is the most powerful partial reinforcement schedule and is highly resistant to extinction.