Question

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.

Molly is eating red and black jellybeans from a paper bag. She is not looking at the jellybeans as she eats them. She likes red jellybeans, but she does not like black jellybeans. The amount of jellybeans she has to take from the jar before she gets a red one is never the same.

Which of the following statements is true?
A.
Molly is on a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement.
B.
Molly is on a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement.
C.
Molly is on a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.
D.
Molly is on a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 1

D. Molly is on a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Explanation: Reinforcement (a red jellybean) depends on the number of responses (how many beans she takes), and that number varies from trial to trial. Fixed vs. variable refers to whether the requirement is constant; ratio vs. interval refers to responses vs. time. This case is variable-ratio.