Bart uses an old cigarette lighter that has become unreliable. It usually takes from one to 10 flicks to make it work. When the
lighter is out of fluid, it will not work at all. By the time that Bart figures out the problem, he has tried flicking it 15 to 20 times. This situation illustrates the principle that a) variable-reinforcement schedules will produce
the greatest persistence.
b) interval-reinforcement schedules will produce the fastest performance.
c) fixed-reinforcement schedules will produce the fastest performance.
d) intermittent-reinforcement schedules will aid prior learning.
The situation illustrate the principle that variable reinforcement schedules will produce the greatest effort.
A variable reinforcement - schedule is a schedule of reinforcement wherein a reinforcer is provided following a pre-determined average number of responses.
