Reinforcement schedules: which resists extinction most?
Which reinforcement schedule produces a high, steady response rate and the greatest resistance to extinction?
Answer D: explanation for every choice
Fixed-interval schedules produce a scalloped pattern: responding pauses after each reward and speeds up as the interval ends.
Fixed-ratio schedules produce high rates but with a pause after each reward, and they extinguish faster than variable-ratio because missing rewards are noticed quickly.
Variable-interval schedules produce steady but moderate rates, because responding faster does not earn a reward sooner.
Correct. Reward depends on the number of responses, but the number is unpredictable, so responding stays high and steady and persists long after rewards stop. Slot machines are the classic example.
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