Reinforcement provided for the first response after an unpredictable time interval is called?

Reinforcement provided for the first response after an unpredictable time interval is called?

• A. Fixed-Interval Schedule
• B. Echoic
• C. Variable-Interval Schedule
• D. Intraverbal

Answer: (C)

Reinforcement schedules control when rewards are delivered based on time or responses. When the first response after a period of time is reinforced, and that interval is unpredictable, this is a variable-interval schedule. The key is the unpredictability of the interval, which yields a steady, moderate rate of responding because the exact moment of reinforcement cannot be predicted. A fixed-interval schedule uses a constant time interval and often shows a pause after reinforcement followed by acceleration as the interval ends. Echoic and intraverbal are verbal operants, not schedules, so they don’t apply here.

Reinforcement schedules control when rewards are delivered based on time or responses. When the first response after a period of time is reinforced, and that interval is unpredictable, this is a variable-interval schedule. The key is the unpredictability of the interval, which yields a steady, moderate rate of responding because the exact moment of reinforcement cannot be predicted. A fixed-interval schedule uses a constant time interval and often shows a pause after reinforcement followed by acceleration as the interval ends. Echoic and intraverbal are verbal operants, not schedules, so they don’t apply here.