Which term describes a schedule where rewards are based on the rate of responding?

• A. Interval
• B. Ratio
• C. Fixed
• D. Variable

Answer: (B)

This question tests how reinforcement is tied to behavior frequency. A schedule where rewards depend on how many times a behavior is performed is a ratio schedule. The key idea is that the basis for reinforcement is the count of responses, so the faster or more often you respond, the more reinforcement you can receive. If rewards were based on time rather than responses, that would be an interval schedule. The terms fixed and variable describe how predictable the schedule is (whether the requirement is constant or varies), but they don’t specify whether reinforcement depends on responses or on time. So the appropriate term for rewards based on the rate of responding is ratio.