Final answer:
The student is asking about a compound reinforcement schedule in operant conditioning, which provides reinforcement upon completion of either a set number of responses (ratio) or after a set amount of time (interval), whichever requirement is met first.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to a compound reinforcement schedule in the context of operant conditioning, where provides reinforcement when the requirement of either a ratio or interval schedule is met. This type of schedule is designed to provide reinforcement after either a set number of responses or after a certain amount of time has passed, whichever occurs first. Such schedules often result in higher rates of response, as they combine the predictability of a fixed schedule with the motivating uncertainty of a variable schedule.
A fixed ratio reinforcement schedule requires a set number of responses before reinforcement, while a fixed interval reinforcement schedule operates on a set amount of time between reinforcements. On the other hand, a variable ratio reinforcement schedule rewards after an unpredictable number of responses, and a variable interval schedule does so after an unpredictable amount of time. The compound schedule described in the question thus takes advantage of both the ratio and interval schedules to shape and maintain behavior.