Susan is watching a football game when the game goes to commercial. She knows that each commercial break during the game takes a
different amount of time to resolve. She gets up to make a snack for herself. She checks back frequently to see if the game is back from commercial. After 3 minutes and 30 seconds, the game comes back on and Susan returns to the room. Which of the following statements is true?
A.
Susan is on a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement.
B.
Susan is on a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement.
C.
Susan is on a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.
D.
Susan is on a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement.
Susan is on a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement.
Explanation:
The mentioned example is of reinforcement variable-schedule in conditioning of operant behaviour by Skinner. It deals with strengthening and weakening of behaviour.
According to the theory, ‘schedule’ means the frequency of reinforcement that has been delivered and variable means inconsistent time slot and ‘interval’ indicates that the reinforcement is regulated by time.
So, it can be said that this reinforcement means that they are practiced at varying time intervals. This example justifies this theory.
They do not have default thinking of what they think they know the child would do or not do. They are more open minded to different possibilities. Also, the child may speak more freely to a stranger, because they may not judge.
