AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Gambling at a slot machine is an example of a variable ratio reinforcement schedule5. What is this? Gambling or lottery game rewards unpredictably. Each winning requires a different number of lever pulls.

Detailed explanation-2: -Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement Schedules Organisms are tempted to persist in their behavior in hopes that they will eventually be rewarded. For instance, slot machines at casinos operate on partial schedules. They provide money (positive reinforcement) after an unpredictable number of plays (behavior).

Detailed explanation-3: -What is Variable Ratio Reinforcement? Variable ratio reinforcement is one way to schedule reinforcements in order to increase the likelihood of conscious behaviors. The reinforcement, like the jackpot for a slot machine, is distributed only after a behavior is performed a certain number of times.

Detailed explanation-4: -Casinos apply a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement, so that the payoff is highly unpredictable. For example, one machine may have a VR-120 schedule. That means that on average, it will produce one payoff for every 120 times played. However, it’s not always 120.