Which schedule of reinforcement provides reinforcement at the end of a predetermined interval contingent on emitting more than a gradually increasing criterion of responses?

• A. DRL
• B. DRD
• C. DRH
• D. VR

Answer: (C)

This item focuses on differential reinforcement of high rates. In this schedule, reinforcement is given at the end of a set interval only if the number of responses during that interval exceeds a criterion that rises gradually over time. The idea is to push the learner to respond more quickly or more frequently, and the requirement gets harder as performance improves, shaping an increasing response rate across intervals.

Why this fits best: The key elements are the interval boundary and a progressively increasing rate criterion. Reinforcement is contingent on meeting or exceeding that rising threshold within each interval, which is exactly how DRH operates.

Why the other options don’t fit as well: DRL rewards slower or more spaced responding, not higher rates. DRD reinforces reductions in response rate toward a diminishing target, not increasing criteria. A variable-ratio schedule provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, without tying reinforcement to an increasing interval-based rate criterion.