Which statement best describes ratio schedules?

Which statement best describes ratio schedules?

• A. Reinforcement that depends on time elapsed since last reinforcement
• B. A schedule where reinforcement is based on the amount of punishment
• C. A schedule where rewards are delivered randomly
• D. Reinforcement that depends on the number of correct responses

Answer: (D)

Ratio schedules are reinforcement schedules in which reinforcement is contingent on the number of responses an organism makes. In other words, you earn a reward after a certain number of responses (for example, after every 5 responses in a fixed ratio, or after a varying number of responses around that target in a variable ratio). This focus on the count of responses, not on time or other factors, is what defines ratio schedules. The other descriptions refer to time-based schedules (reinforcement after a certain amount of time), punishment-based or unclear terms, or randomness, none of which capture the essence of ratio schedules.

Ratio schedules are reinforcement schedules in which reinforcement is contingent on the number of responses an organism makes. In other words, you earn a reward after a certain number of responses (for example, after every 5 responses in a fixed ratio, or after a varying number of responses around that target in a variable ratio). This focus on the count of responses, not on time or other factors, is what defines ratio schedules. The other descriptions refer to time-based schedules (reinforcement after a certain amount of time), punishment-based or unclear terms, or randomness, none of which capture the essence of ratio schedules.