Question

Boris knows that if he does his chores each week, he will get his allowance on Sunday. Boris is being reinforced on a ___ schedule.

a) Fixed interval
b) Variable interval
c) Fixed ratio
d) Variable ratio

Answer 1

Boris is rewarded on a fixed interval schedule where allowance is given on a set time each week, making it a predictable time-based reinforcement pattern.

Step-by-step explanation:

Boris is being reinforced on a fixed interval schedule. A fixed interval reinforcement schedule means behavior is rewarded after a set amount of time, regardless of the number of responses made within that interval. Since Boris receives his allowance every Sunday for doing his chores, he knows exactly when to expect his reward, making it a predictable schedule related to time intervals.Contrastingly, variable ratio and variable interval schedules are unpredictable, with reinforcement given after either a varying number of responses or varying time intervals. For example, slot machines operate on a variable ratio schedule, where the reward (money) is given after an unpredictable number of plays, leading to high and steady response rates among gamblers.