Operant Conditioning: Schedules of Reinforcement

How is operant conditioning different from classical conditioning?

• In operant conditioning, reinforcement is paired and presented with an unconditioned stimulus
•  In operant conditioning, reinforcement is presented before the subject responds
• In operant conditioning, reinforcement is presented only when the subject responds
• All of the above

Having to earn 3 gold stars in order to get an item from the class treasure chest is an example of a _______________ schedule of reinforcement.

• fixed ratio
• variable ratio
• fixed interval
• variable interval

Having to remain quiet for 10 minutes before you are allowed to go back out and play is a 

• fixed ratio
• variable ratio
• fixed interval
• variable interval

Slot machines are an example of ____ schedule of reinforcement. (You don't know how many attempts it will take)

• fixed ratio
• variable ratio
• fixed interval
• variable interval

A student does every homework assignment even though the teacher does not always collect the assignments.  This is an example of 

• fixed ratio
• variable ratio
• fixed interval
• variable interval

Going to a walk in clinic and not having any idea how long it will be before you see a doctor.

• fixed ratio
• variable ratio
• fixed interval
• variable interval

Having to wait 30 minutes until you have a new life on a game.

• fixed ratio
• variable ratio
• fixed interval
• variable interval

After you buy 4 meals at a restaurant you get the 
 5th one free.

• fixed ratio
• variable ratio
• fixed interval
• variable interval

What is a reinforcer?

• Anything that decreases the frequency of a behavior
• Anything that the subject likes 
• Anything that the subject will work for 
• Anything that follows a behavior and increases the frequency of a behavior

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses:

• Fixed-ratio
• Variable-ratio
• Fixed-interval
• Variable-interval