Final answer:
The question pertains to reinforcement assessment within psychology, looking at how the effectiveness of stimuli as reinforcers changes as the response requirement changes. Fixed ratio and variable ratio reinforcement schedules are two types of schedules that dictate how and when reinforcements are given. Reinforcers can be classified as primary or secondary, depending on their inherent qualities and the context in which they are used.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the concept of reinforcement assessment in the field of psychology, specifically within the area of behaviorism. This concept is related to determining the effectiveness of different kinds of reinforcers as the required responses increase. To define, reinforcement can be described as the implementation of a consequence in order to increase a behavior.
There are various types of reinforcement schedules, including a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule where a set number of responses must occur before a behavior is rewarded, and a variable ratio reinforcement schedule where the number of responses needed for a reward varies.
For example, within a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule, after a predictable number of responses, such as 2, 4, 6, and 8, reinforcement is delivered.
This differs from a fixed interval reinforcement schedule, where behavior is rewarded after a set amount of time. Additionally, in a variable ratio reinforcement schedule, the reinforcement is delivered after an unpredictable number of responses, making it a highly effective partial reinforcement schedule.
There are also different types of reinforcers used in these schedules: primary reinforcers, which have innate reinforcing qualities (e.g., food, water), and secondary reinforcers, which have no inherent value but are reinforcing when linked with something else (e.g., money, praise).