Which schedule rewards after a random number of responses within a specified range?

• A. Fixed Ratio Reward Schedule
• B. Continuous Reward Schedule
• C. Variable Ratio Reward Schedule
• D. Fixed Interval Reward Schedule

Answer: (C)

When rewards depend on a changing number of responses, with the exact requirement fluctuating within a set range, you’re dealing with a variable ratio schedule. This means the animal (or dog) learns that the next reward could come at any moment, so it keeps responding quickly to try to obtain it. The unpredictability of the required number of responses sustains high and steady responding and makes the pattern quite resistant to extinction.

If rewards came after a fixed number of responses, that’s a fixed ratio schedule, which tends to produce a sharp burst of responses followed by a brief pause after each reinforcement. If rewards were given after every response, that’s a continuous schedule, which leads to rapid learning but less persistence when rewards stop. If rewards were tied to time rather than the number of responses, that’s a fixed interval schedule, producing responses that escalate as the interval nears its end but aren’t tied to the exact number of actions.