AP Psychology Practice Test

In operant conditioning, what is a fixed-interval schedule?

1. Reinforcing a response only after a specified time has elapsed

2. Reinforcing a response after a variable number of responses

3. Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

4. Reinforcing a response at unpredictable time intervals

The correct answer is: Reinforcing a response only after a specified time has elapsed

A fixed-interval schedule refers to a type of operant conditioning reinforcement schedule in which a response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has passed. This means that the first response that occurs after a set duration of time will receive reinforcement. For example, if a teacher gives a test every two weeks, students might study hard right before the test but not as much in between, as they know they will be reinforced (in the form of grades) based on their performance at those fixed intervals. This method of reinforcement leads to a characteristic pattern where individuals may exhibit little response immediately after receiving the reinforcement but will increase their efforts as the time for the next reinforcement approaches. Understanding this concept is crucial, as it helps explain behaviors in various settings, such as education and behavioral therapy. The other options refer to different types of schedules in operant conditioning: variable schedules involve unpredictability in the number of responses or time intervals, while continuous reinforcement involves providing reinforcement every time a behavior occurs.