Final answer:
Weekly paychecks correspond to a fixed-interval reinforcement schedule, where rewards are given after set periods of time, and slot machines use a variable-ratio schedule, where rewards are unpredictable and vary in frequency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Weekly paychecks are an example of a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement because employees receive their pay after a set amount of time, typically one week, regardless of how many times they perform a particular behavior within that period.
In contrast, slot machines operate on a variable-ratio schedule because the number of responses (or lever pulls) needed before a gambler receives a reward varies, making this a very potent form of reinforcement.
Understanding these schedules is crucial in operant conditioning, as they affect the rate and pattern of responses, as well as how quickly a behavior is extinguished when reinforcement is stopped.