Which schedule provides reinforcement after the animal has performed the behavior for a specific duration?

• A. Fixed Duration
• B. Variable Duration
• C. Fixed Ratio
• D. Variable Interval

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is reinforcement contingent on sustaining a behavior for a set amount of time. This is a fixed duration schedule: the animal receives reinforcement after maintaining the target behavior for a specific, unchanging duration. The emphasis is on how long the behavior is performed, not on how many times it is performed or on time elapsed before a response. If the animal stops before the duration ends, the timer typically resets, and reinforcement won’t occur until the full duration is achieved again. This differs from a fixed interval schedule, where reinforcement happens after a fixed amount of time has passed (and a response after that interval is needed), a variable duration schedule where the required duration varies, and a fixed ratio schedule where reinforcement follows a set number of responses.