5. Under a schedule of reinforcement, the target behavior is reinforced on the average of a specified number of correct responses

Variable Ratio (VR)

Explanation:

Operant conditioning can be defined as an associative learning process which involves reinforcing the strength of a behavior.

Schedule of reinforcement is the precise timing pattern or rules which presents or removes a reinforcer or punisher respectively, with respect to an operant behavior. There are four (4) main types of schedule of reinforcements and these includes;

I. Intermittent schedules.

II. Interval schedules.

III. Response-duration schedules.

IV. Ratio schedules.

Ratio schedules typically involves reinforcement after a specific number of correct responses only. It is divided into two (2) main categories and these are;

a. Fixed ratio (FR) schedules.

b. Variable ratio (VR) schedules.

Under a variable ratio (VR) schedule of reinforcement, the target behavior is reinforced on the average of a specified number of correct responses.

One of the most common example of variable ratio (VR) schedule of reinforcement is gambling and lottery games.