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.
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📋 Total Questions: 40
⏳ Time Limit: 40 minutes
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1. What is a fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule?
Reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses
Reinforcement is given after a fixed amount of time
Reinforcement is given after a random number of responses
Reinforcement is given after a random amount of time
2. What is an example of a variable-interval schedule?
A teacher gives a quiz every Monday
A slot machine that pays out after a random number of pulls
A child is rewarded for cleaning their room every 5 minutes
A worker receives a bonus after a random number of sales
3. In which type of schedule does reinforcement occur after a variable amount of time has passed?
Fixed-ratio
Fixed-interval
Variable-interval
Variable-ratio
4. What is the major disadvantage of using a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement?
The responses become too predictable
The responses tend to be too fast and stop abruptly
The individual is less likely to repeat the behavior
Reinforcement takes too long to occur
5. Which reinforcement schedule has the highest resistance to extinction?
Fixed-interval
Variable-ratio
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
6. What is an example of a fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule in a workplace setting?
A sales employee receives a commission after every 10 sales
A worker gets paid on a weekly schedule
An employee gets a bonus after working for 5 years
A teacher provides extra credit after a student answers 3 questions correctly
7. Which schedule of reinforcement is least likely to lead to predictable behavior?
Variable-ratio
Fixed-interval
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
8. Which type of reinforcement schedule would best maintain a high level of behavior once learned?
Fixed-interval
Variable-ratio
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
9. What is the primary characteristic of a variable-ratio schedule?
Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of responses
Reinforcement is delivered after a variable amount of time
Reinforcement is given after a random number of responses
Reinforcement is given after a random amount of time
10. Which reinforcement schedule results in the most consistent and steady response rate?
Variable-ratio
Fixed-ratio
Fixed-interval
Variable-interval
11. An example of a fixed-interval reinforcement schedule is:
Giving a child a sticker for every 3 times they answer correctly
Receiving a paycheck at the end of each month
A dog receiving food for sitting every 5 minutes
A student getting a reward after 5 correct answers
12. What is a key feature of the variable-ratio reinforcement schedule?
The schedule is predictable
Reinforcement is given after a fixed amount of time
The number of responses needed for reinforcement varies
Reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses
13. A worker who gets a reward every time they complete a fixed number of tasks is on which schedule?
Variable-interval
Fixed-ratio
Fixed-interval
Variable-ratio
14. Which of the following is an example of a variable-interval schedule?
A person receives an email after every 5 minutes of waiting
A supervisor gives praise after a random number of reports are completed
A student receives extra time on homework after random intervals
A person receives a reward after performing a task a certain number of times
15. What is the most likely outcome of reinforcement on a variable-ratio schedule?
Rapid responses followed by a break
Slow and steady responses with few bursts
A predictable pattern of responses
Responses at a consistent rate with no pauses
16. Which schedule is used in gambling, where the reward is unpredictable?
Variable-ratio
Fixed-interval
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
17. In a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule, how does the number of responses needed to obtain reinforcement change?
It remains constant
It decreases over time
It changes randomly
It increases incrementally
18. In operant conditioning, what does a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement result in?
A predictable pattern of behavior
A steady but low rate of response
A high but uneven rate of response
A high rate of response followed by complete extinction
19. In a variable-interval schedule, how is the timing of reinforcement determined?
It is fixed at set intervals of time
It is random and unpredictable
It follows a consistent pattern over time
It is based on a fixed number of responses
20. Which reinforcement schedule is likely to produce a "post-reinforcement pause" where no responses occur right after reinforcement?
Fixed-interval
Variable-ratio
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
21. What typically occurs with behavior maintained by a variable-ratio schedule?
Responses are rapid and continuous, with no predictable pauses
Responses become slow and erratic
Responses occur in bursts followed by long pauses
Responses are predictable with long pauses between them
22. In a fixed-ratio schedule, the ratio of responses to reinforcement is:
Variable and unpredictable
Fixed and predictable
Based on the timing of responses
Based on the amount of time between reinforcements
23. Which reinforcement schedule is used in slot machines, where a random number of pulls results in a win?
Variable-ratio
Fixed-interval
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
24. Which schedule of reinforcement typically results in the highest rate of responding?
Fixed-ratio
Variable-ratio
Fixed-interval
Variable-interval
25. What behavior pattern is commonly observed in a fixed-interval schedule right before reinforcement?
High rate of response
Low rate of response
Scalloped response pattern
Continuous rate of response
26. Which schedule would be best for reinforcing a behavior over a long period of time?
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
Fixed-interval
Variable-ratio
27. In which type of reinforcement schedule do responses typically increase as the time for reinforcement approaches?
Fixed-interval
Variable-ratio
Variable-interval
Fixed-ratio
28. What is a characteristic of the fixed-interval reinforcement schedule?
Reinforcement is given after a set number of responses
Reinforcement is given after a set time interval
Responses are consistent and rapid
Reinforcement is unpredictable
29. What is an example of a fixed-interval schedule in real life?
Receiving a paycheck at the end of each week
Getting paid after every 10 sales
Receiving a random email after waiting for some time
A student getting a reward for every 5 correct answers
30. What is the main characteristic of a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule?
It reinforces after a fixed number of responses
The amount of time before reinforcement is fixed
The number of responses needed for reinforcement varies
Reinforcement occurs after a set time interval
31. What is a key factor in determining the effectiveness of a fixed-ratio schedule?
The unpredictability of reinforcement
The time between reinforcements
The fixed number of responses required for reinforcement
The randomness of reinforcement
32. In which reinforcement schedule do individuals typically show a "post-reinforcement pause"?
Fixed-interval
Variable-interval
Fixed-ratio
Variable-ratio
33. A person receives reinforcement every 10th time they engage in a desired behavior. This is an example of which schedule?
Fixed-interval
Variable-ratio
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
34. Which of the following schedules produces the most resistance to extinction?
Fixed-interval
Variable-ratio
Variable-interval
Fixed-ratio
35. What is the most common type of reinforcement schedule used in slot machines?
Fixed-interval
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
Variable-ratio
36. What is an example of a variable-interval reinforcement schedule in real life?
Receiving a paycheck every 2 weeks
Receiving an email at random times during the day
A student is rewarded after every 5 correct answers
A dog gets a treat after sitting for an unpredictable amount of time
37. Which type of reinforcement schedule is most effective for generating high rates of response in the short term?
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
Variable-ratio
Fixed-interval
38. A worker receives a bonus after completing a task a random number of times. This is an example of which schedule?
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
Fixed-interval
Variable-ratio
39. Which reinforcement schedule is most likely to produce a response pattern characterized by irregular bursts of activity?
Variable-ratio
Fixed-interval
Fixed-ratio
Variable-interval
40. Which schedule of reinforcement tends to result in a response pattern that is the most predictable and stable?