AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -With pop quizzes, a student is unsure when the reinforcement for reading an assignment is going to occur. When done properly, pop quizzes encourage students to complete their reading on a more frequent basis. This reinforcement schedule is known as a VI schedule.

Detailed explanation-2: -Variable Interval: In variable interval (VI) schedule, the first behavior is reinforced after an average amount of time has passed. Example: You provide Jane praise (“good job”) the first time she says “please” after about every 55, 60 or 65 minutes.

Detailed explanation-3: -the time between reinforcements varies around some average rather than being fixed. For example, a professor who gives surprise quizzes that vary from one every 3 days to one every 3 weeks, averaging one every 2 weeks, is using a variable-interval schedule.

Detailed explanation-4: -Pop quizzes work on a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement. To get good grades (reinforcement) on pop quizzes, which come at inconsistent and unknown passages of time (variable interval), you must keep up on class work and assignments (behavior).