Which of the following is true of a variable-ratio schedule in operant conditioning?

• A. It delivers reinforcement after a fixed amount of time has passed, regardless of the number of responses.
• B. It delivers reinforcement after a predictable number of responses, resulting in a pause after each reinforcement.
• C. It delivers reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, leading to high and steady response rates.
• D. It delivers reinforcement after a variable amount of time has passed, leading to moderate response rates.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that in operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforcement determines how and when a behavior is followed by a reinforcer.
2. Recall that a variable-ratio schedule provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, which means the subject cannot predict exactly when the next reinforcement will come.
3. Recognize that this unpredictability typically leads to a high and steady rate of responding because the subject keeps responding in hopes of receiving reinforcement.
4. Contrast this with fixed-ratio schedules, where reinforcement occurs after a set number of responses, often causing a pause after reinforcement.
5. Note that time-based schedules (fixed-interval and variable-interval) deliver reinforcement based on time elapsed, not the number of responses, which affects response patterns differently.