Although it is unknown if one must buy 1, 10, or 100 scratch-off lottery tickets to get a winning ticket, it is probable that if one keeps buying, eventually one will get a winner. in fact, maybe the very next ticket will be a winner. therefore, buying scratch-off lottery tickets is reinforced according to a schedul

Variable ratio

Explanation:

First, there are two different types of reinforcement:

The positive reinforcement applies a stimulus to increase the frequency of the desirable variable.

The negative reinforcement removes a stimulus to increase the frequency of the desirable variable.

However, the positive reinforcement divides itself in different types:

A continuous reinforcement schedule gives us a reinforcement every time we engaged in the desired conduct.

On the other side, the partial reinforcement schedule doesn't give us a reinforcement every time, but also divides itself in

And these divide themselves in fixed or variable.

So, in other words, ratio has to do with number of responses while interval has to do with amount of time.

In the example, you don't know how many lottery tickets you must buy to get a winning ticket. But technically, if you keep buying, you will get a winner one (after an unknown number of attempts).

Therefore, buying scratch-lottery tickets is a reinforced according to a variable ratio schedule.

parable of the tares

explanation: