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. Ideal for students and psychology professionals.
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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?
- Variable-ratio
- Fixed-ratio
- Fixed-interval
- Variable-interval