Discuss the fixed-ratio and variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

What will be an ideal response?


A fixed-ratio schedule reinforces a behavior after a set number of behaviors. For example every 10th doughnut you buy at Doughnut World is free. A variable-ratio schedule rewards behavior on an unpredictable basis. For example, a slot machine may pay off on average every 20th time, but the gambler does not know when this payoff will happen.

Psychology

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Ann has the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, the restricting type. What does this diagnosis mean to the team of professionals that is going to treat her?

a. She rarely engages in bingeing or purging. b. Her personality characteristics have made it difficult to determine if she has a problem at all. c. She has a rare form of anorexia nervosa in which she is able to maintain her weight within five pounds of her expected weight. d. The treatments that can be used are limited to those that can address the underlying biological malfunctions responsible for the disorder.

Psychology

Neurons do not touch, meaning that a message must cross __________ for one neuron to communicate with another neuron.

A. the synapse B. the dendrites C. the cell body D. a glial cell

Psychology

Pennebaker and his colleagues have shown that

a. talking or writing about traumatic events increases overall stress levels. b. talking about stress events has beneficial effects, but writing about them has no impact. c. psychological inhibition can be an effective coping strategy for most people. d. talking or writing about traumatic events can have beneficial effects.

Psychology

In the United States in the 1970's, the average hospital stay for a normal birth was ____________ days.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Psychology