Which term describes reinforcing every time the behavior occurs?

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

Answer: (C)

When learning how rewards shape behavior, the key idea is how often reinforcement follows the behavior. If you reward every single time the behavior happens, you create a strong, direct link between the action and the reward. This pattern is known as continuous reinforcement. It makes the behavior appear quickly and strengthens it fast, but it also means that if you stop giving the reward, the behavior drops off quickly because the association was built on that immediate payoff.

In other schedules, reinforcement doesn’t happen after every occurrence. A fixed ratio schedule rewards after a set number of responses, so not every response gets reinforced. A variable interval schedule rewards after unpredictable intervals of time, not tied to every response. Intermittent reinforcement is just the broad category that includes all of these non-continuous patterns.

So, the description of reinforcing every time the behavior occurs fits continuous reinforcement.