Question

A subject will receive reinforcement only after giving a specific number of correct responses in a ________.

Answer 1

A subject will receive reinforcement only after giving a specific number of correct responses in a fixed ratio schedule.

Step-by-step explanation:

In operant conditioning, a subject will receive reinforcement only after giving a specific number of correct responses in a fixed ratio schedule.

A fixed ratio schedule is a type of reinforcement schedule in which a subject is reinforced after a specific number of responses. For example, if the fixed ratio is 5, the subject would receive reinforcement only after giving 5 correct responses.

This type of schedule is often used to increase the frequency or rate of a desired behavior. It can be seen in various real-life situations. For instance, imagine a salesperson who receives a bonus for every 10 sales made. In this case, the reinforcement is given after a fixed ratio of 10 sales.

A fixed ratio schedule can be effective in promoting and maintaining a behavior because the subject knows exactly how many responses are required to receive reinforcement. This can provide a sense of predictability and motivation to continue performing the behavior.

However, it's important to note that a fixed ratio schedule can also lead to a pause in responding immediately after reinforcement is given. This is known as a post-reinforcement pause. After the pause, the subject typically resumes responding at a high rate until the next reinforcement is earned.

Overall, a fixed ratio schedule in operant conditioning ensures that reinforcement is given only after a specific number of correct responses. This can be a powerful tool in shaping and maintaining desired behaviors.

Answer 2

A subject will receive reinforcement after a specific number of correct responses in a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule, which rewards a behavior after a set number of responses. This differs from variable ratio and fixed interval schedules, where reinforcement is based on unpredictable responses or set time intervals, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

A subject will receive reinforcement only after giving a specific number of correct responses in a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule. In this type of reinforcement schedule, there is a set number of responses that must occur before a behavior is rewarded. This is in contrast to a variable ratio reinforcement schedule, where the number of responses needed for a reward can vary and are unpredictable, often leading to a high and steady response rate with little if any pause after reinforcement.

For instance, an eyeglass saleswoman, like Carla, is on a fixed ratio schedule because she earns a commission for every specified number of pairs of glasses sold. Her motivation to sell is directly tied to the number of successful transactions she makes, regardless of the product quality. This is different from a fixed interval reinforcement schedule where the behavior is rewarded after a set amount of time, such as a patient receiving medication at regular intervals regardless of how many times they request it in between.

Reinforcement schedules are an essential aspect of operant conditioning and play a crucial role in shaping behaviors. They can be divided into four main types: fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval, each producing different patterns of response.