Casino slot machines are designed so that people keep playing - often to their own financial detriment - because there is always the possibility that they may win big on the next attempt. Which reinforcement schedule are the game designers employing?

a. fixed ratio
b. fixed interval
c. variable ratio
d. variable interval

Ans: c. variable ratio.
Reinforcement (winning money) occurs after a variable number of responses (plays). This encourages persistent responses, because "the next one" might be the winner

Psychology

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Which of the following might serve as a secondary reinforcer?

a. intracranial self-stimulation b. praise c. food d. a psychoactive drug

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Operant learning may also be referred to as _______

a. trial-and-error learning b. effects learning c. non-Pavlovian conditioning d. instrumental learning

Psychology