Which schedule is also known as partial or intermittent and has no set pattern?

Which schedule is also known as partial or intermittent and has no set pattern?

• A. Fixed ratio schedule.
• B. Continuous schedule of reinforcement.
• C. Variable Schedules of Reinforcement.
• D. Fixed interval schedule.

Answer: (C)

Partial or intermittent reinforcement means you don’t give reinforcement after every correct behavior—the pattern of reinforcement is unpredictable. That lack of a fixed pattern is what characterizes variable schedules of reinforcement. In a variable schedule, reinforcement is delivered after changing or unpredictable numbers of responses (variable ratio) or after changing or unpredictable time intervals (variable interval), so there is no consistent pattern to expect. This stands in contrast to fixed ratio, where reinforcement comes after a set number of responses, creating a predictable pattern; a fixed interval, where reinforcement is after a specific amount of time with a noticeable post-reinforcement pause; and a continuous schedule, where every correct response is reinforced, leaving no intermittent pattern at all. Hence, the description fits variable schedules of reinforcement.

Partial or intermittent reinforcement means you don’t give reinforcement after every correct behavior—the pattern of reinforcement is unpredictable. That lack of a fixed pattern is what characterizes variable schedules of reinforcement. In a variable schedule, reinforcement is delivered after changing or unpredictable numbers of responses (variable ratio) or after changing or unpredictable time intervals (variable interval), so there is no consistent pattern to expect.

This stands in contrast to fixed ratio, where reinforcement comes after a set number of responses, creating a predictable pattern; a fixed interval, where reinforcement is after a specific amount of time with a noticeable post-reinforcement pause; and a continuous schedule, where every correct response is reinforced, leaving no intermittent pattern at all. Hence, the description fits variable schedules of reinforcement.