In a study, researchers placed rats in operant chambers where pressing a lever delivered a food pellet. One group received a pellet for every press (continuous), a second group received a pellet on average every 5 presses (variable ratio), and a third group received a pellet every fixed 30 seconds for the first press after the interval (fixed interval). Researchers later measured response rates after withdrawing reinforcement.
Which schedule is expected to produce the highest steady response rate during reinforcement?
- A
Fixed interval
- Bcheck_circle
Variable ratio
- C
Fixed ratio with long ratio requirement
- D
Continuous reinforcement
Explanation
Variable-ratio schedules produce the highest, steadiest rates of responding because reinforcement can occur after any response.