Final answer:
After a continuous reinforcement schedule, a Variable Ratio 2 (VR2) is the appropriate schedule to adopt to maintain high and steady correct response rates while decreasing incorrect responses. It rewards an average of every two correct responses, providing unpredictability in reinforcement and creating strong incentives for the desired behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
You asked which reinforcement schedule should be used right after a continuous reinforcement schedule to increase correct responding while slowing down incorrect responses. The appropriate schedule to start with would be the Variable Ratio 2 (VR2) schedule. This schedule, also known as a partial reinforcement schedule, rewards correct responses, but unlike the continuous reinforcement schedule (FR1), it does not reinforce every correct response. Instead, it provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of correct responses, which ends up creating a high and steady rate of response.
An example of the variable ratio schedule at work is the way slot machines reward players, encouraging persistent behavior. This type of schedule makes the reinforced behavior very resistant to extinction, meaning that it will continue even if rewards cease for an extended period. Therefore, if you are transitioning from a fixed ratio schedule, starting with VR2 will begin the process of making the reinforcement less predictable but still frequent enough to establish the desired behavior.
Because VR1 would imply a reward after every response, which is essentially continuous reinforcement, it is incorrect. VR2 represents the initial step into variable reinforcement, where the rewards start to be given after an average of two responses, creating variability and an incentive to keep responding correctly without the expectation of reinforcement being too frequent.