Schedules of Reinforcement in Behavioral Psychology: Exam MCQs

Test your understanding of schedules of reinforcement in behavioral psychology with our comprehensive exam. Explore fixed, variable, interval and ratio reinforcement schedules.

Questions (40)


  1. What is a fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule?

    • a) Reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses
    • b) Reinforcement is given after a fixed amount of time
    • c) Reinforcement is given after a random number of responses
    • d) Reinforcement is given after a random amount of time
    View Answer
    Correct Reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses
  2. What is an example of a variable-interval schedule?

    • a) A teacher gives a quiz every Monday
    • b) A slot machine that pays out after a random number of pulls
    • c) A child is rewarded for cleaning their room every 5 minutes
    • d) A worker receives a bonus after a random number of sales
    View Answer
    Correct A slot machine that pays out after a random number of pulls
  3. In which type of schedule does reinforcement occur after a variable amount of time has passed?

    • a) Fixed-ratio
    • b) Fixed-interval
    • c) Variable-interval
    • d) Variable-ratio
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-interval
  4. What is the major disadvantage of using a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement?

    • a) The responses become too predictable
    • b) The responses tend to be too fast and stop abruptly
    • c) The individual is less likely to repeat the behavior
    • d) Reinforcement takes too long to occur
    View Answer
    Correct The responses tend to be too fast and stop abruptly
  5. Which reinforcement schedule has the highest resistance to extinction?

    • a) Fixed-interval
    • b) Variable-ratio
    • c) Fixed-ratio
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  6. What is an example of a fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule in a workplace setting?

    • a) A sales employee receives a commission after every 10 sales
    • b) A worker gets paid on a weekly schedule
    • c) An employee gets a bonus after working for 5 years
    • d) A teacher provides extra credit after a student answers 3 questions correctly
    View Answer
    Correct A sales employee receives a commission after every 10 sales
  7. Which schedule of reinforcement is least likely to lead to predictable behavior?

    • a) Variable-ratio
    • b) Fixed-interval
    • c) Fixed-ratio
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  8. Which type of reinforcement schedule would best maintain a high level of behavior once learned?

    • a) Fixed-interval
    • b) Variable-ratio
    • c) Fixed-ratio
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  9. What is the primary characteristic of a variable-ratio schedule?

    • a) Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of responses
    • b) Reinforcement is delivered after a variable amount of time
    • c) Reinforcement is given after a random number of responses
    • d) Reinforcement is given after a random amount of time
    View Answer
    Correct Reinforcement is given after a random number of responses
  10. Which reinforcement schedule results in the most consistent and steady response rate?

    • a) Variable-ratio
    • b) Fixed-ratio
    • c) Fixed-interval
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-interval
  11. An example of a fixed-interval reinforcement schedule is:

    • a) Giving a child a sticker for every 3 times they answer correctly
    • b) Receiving a paycheck at the end of each month
    • c) A dog receiving food for sitting every 5 minutes
    • d) A student getting a reward after 5 correct answers
    View Answer
    Correct Receiving a paycheck at the end of each month
  12. What is a key feature of the variable-ratio reinforcement schedule?

    • a) The schedule is predictable
    • b) Reinforcement is given after a fixed amount of time
    • c) The number of responses needed for reinforcement varies
    • d) Reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses
    View Answer
    Correct The number of responses needed for reinforcement varies
  13. A worker who gets a reward every time they complete a fixed number of tasks is on which schedule?

    • a) Variable-interval
    • b) Fixed-ratio
    • c) Fixed-interval
    • d) Variable-ratio
    View Answer
    Correct Fixed-ratio
  14. Which of the following is an example of a variable-interval schedule?

    • a) A person receives an email after every 5 minutes of waiting
    • b) A supervisor gives praise after a random number of reports are completed
    • c) A student receives extra time on homework after random intervals
    • d) A person receives a reward after performing a task a certain number of times
    View Answer
    Correct A student receives extra time on homework after random intervals
  15. What is the most likely outcome of reinforcement on a variable-ratio schedule?

    • a) Rapid responses followed by a break
    • b) Slow and steady responses with few bursts
    • c) A predictable pattern of responses
    • d) Responses at a consistent rate with no pauses
    View Answer
    Correct Responses at a consistent rate with no pauses
  16. Which schedule is used in gambling, where the reward is unpredictable?

    • a) Variable-ratio
    • b) Fixed-interval
    • c) Fixed-ratio
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  17. In a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule, how does the number of responses needed to obtain reinforcement change?

    • a) It remains constant
    • b) It decreases over time
    • c) It changes randomly
    • d) It increases incrementally
    View Answer
    Correct It changes randomly
  18. In operant conditioning, what does a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement result in?

    • a) A predictable pattern of behavior
    • b) A steady but low rate of response
    • c) A high but uneven rate of response
    • d) A high rate of response followed by complete extinction
    View Answer
    Correct A steady but low rate of response
  19. In a variable-interval schedule, how is the timing of reinforcement determined?

    • a) It is fixed at set intervals of time
    • b) It is random and unpredictable
    • c) It follows a consistent pattern over time
    • d) It is based on a fixed number of responses
    View Answer
    Correct It is random and unpredictable
  20. Which reinforcement schedule is likely to produce a "post-reinforcement pause" where no responses occur right after reinforcement?

    • a) Fixed-interval
    • b) Variable-ratio
    • c) Fixed-ratio
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Fixed-interval
  21. What typically occurs with behavior maintained by a variable-ratio schedule?

    • a) Responses are rapid and continuous, with no predictable pauses
    • b) Responses become slow and erratic
    • c) Responses occur in bursts followed by long pauses
    • d) Responses are predictable with long pauses between them
    View Answer
    Correct Responses are rapid and continuous, with no predictable pauses
  22. In a fixed-ratio schedule, the ratio of responses to reinforcement is:

    • a) Variable and unpredictable
    • b) Fixed and predictable
    • c) Based on the timing of responses
    • d) Based on the amount of time between reinforcements
    View Answer
    Correct Fixed and predictable
  23. Which reinforcement schedule is used in slot machines, where a random number of pulls results in a win?

    • a) Variable-ratio
    • b) Fixed-interval
    • c) Fixed-ratio
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  24. Which schedule of reinforcement typically results in the highest rate of responding?

    • a) Fixed-ratio
    • b) Variable-ratio
    • c) Fixed-interval
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  25. What behavior pattern is commonly observed in a fixed-interval schedule right before reinforcement?

    • a) High rate of response
    • b) Low rate of response
    • c) Scalloped response pattern
    • d) Continuous rate of response
    View Answer
    Correct Scalloped response pattern
  26. Which schedule would be best for reinforcing a behavior over a long period of time?

    • a) Fixed-ratio
    • b) Variable-interval
    • c) Fixed-interval
    • d) Variable-ratio
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-interval
  27. In which type of reinforcement schedule do responses typically increase as the time for reinforcement approaches?

    • a) Fixed-interval
    • b) Variable-ratio
    • c) Variable-interval
    • d) Fixed-ratio
    View Answer
    Correct Fixed-interval
  28. What is a characteristic of the fixed-interval reinforcement schedule?

    • a) Reinforcement is given after a set number of responses
    • b) Reinforcement is given after a set time interval
    • c) Responses are consistent and rapid
    • d) Reinforcement is unpredictable
    View Answer
    Correct Reinforcement is given after a set time interval
  29. What is an example of a fixed-interval schedule in real life?

    • a) Receiving a paycheck at the end of each week
    • b) Getting paid after every 10 sales
    • c) Receiving a random email after waiting for some time
    • d) A student getting a reward for every 5 correct answers
    View Answer
    Correct Receiving a paycheck at the end of each week
  30. What is the main characteristic of a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule?

    • a) It reinforces after a fixed number of responses
    • b) The amount of time before reinforcement is fixed
    • c) The number of responses needed for reinforcement varies
    • d) Reinforcement occurs after a set time interval
    View Answer
    Correct The number of responses needed for reinforcement varies
  31. What is a key factor in determining the effectiveness of a fixed-ratio schedule?

    • a) The unpredictability of reinforcement
    • b) The time between reinforcements
    • c) The fixed number of responses required for reinforcement
    • d) The randomness of reinforcement
    View Answer
    Correct The fixed number of responses required for reinforcement
  32. In which reinforcement schedule do individuals typically show a "post-reinforcement pause"?

    • a) Fixed-interval
    • b) Variable-interval
    • c) Fixed-ratio
    • d) Variable-ratio
    View Answer
    Correct Fixed-interval
  33. A person receives reinforcement every 10th time they engage in a desired behavior. This is an example of which schedule?

    • a) Fixed-interval
    • b) Variable-ratio
    • c) Fixed-ratio
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Fixed-ratio
  34. Which of the following schedules produces the most resistance to extinction?

    • a) Fixed-interval
    • b) Variable-ratio
    • c) Variable-interval
    • d) Fixed-ratio
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  35. What is the most common type of reinforcement schedule used in slot machines?

    • a) Fixed-interval
    • b) Fixed-ratio
    • c) Variable-interval
    • d) Variable-ratio
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  36. What is an example of a variable-interval reinforcement schedule in real life?

    • a) Receiving a paycheck every 2 weeks
    • b) Receiving an email at random times during the day
    • c) A student is rewarded after every 5 correct answers
    • d) A dog gets a treat after sitting for an unpredictable amount of time
    View Answer
    Correct Receiving an email at random times during the day
  37. Which type of reinforcement schedule is most effective for generating high rates of response in the short term?

    • a) Fixed-ratio
    • b) Variable-interval
    • c) Variable-ratio
    • d) Fixed-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  38. A worker receives a bonus after completing a task a random number of times. This is an example of which schedule?

    • a) Fixed-ratio
    • b) Variable-interval
    • c) Fixed-interval
    • d) Variable-ratio
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  39. Which reinforcement schedule is most likely to produce a response pattern characterized by irregular bursts of activity?

    • a) Variable-ratio
    • b) Fixed-interval
    • c) Fixed-ratio
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Variable-ratio
  40. Which schedule of reinforcement tends to result in a response pattern that is the most predictable and stable?

    • a) Variable-ratio
    • b) Fixed-ratio
    • c) Fixed-interval
    • d) Variable-interval
    View Answer
    Correct Fixed-interval

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