In the VD5 example, how are rewards delivered?

In the VD5 example, how are rewards delivered?

• A. Fixed Duration 5 seconds
• B. Variable Duration 5 seconds
• C. Variable Interval 5 seconds
• D. Fixed Interval 5 seconds

Answer: (B)

In this schedule, the reward is tied to how long the dog maintains the target behavior, but the exact duration is unpredictable. For VD5, the dog must perform the behavior for a varying amount of time, with the average duration around five seconds. When that randomly determined duration ends, a reward is given, and the next opportunity starts. This means reinforcement can come after shorter or longer bursts, making the timing of reward uncertain and encouraging steady responding, unlike a fixed duration where the reward would always come after exactly five seconds.

In this schedule, the reward is tied to how long the dog maintains the target behavior, but the exact duration is unpredictable. For VD5, the dog must perform the behavior for a varying amount of time, with the average duration around five seconds. When that randomly determined duration ends, a reward is given, and the next opportunity starts. This means reinforcement can come after shorter or longer bursts, making the timing of reward uncertain and encouraging steady responding, unlike a fixed duration where the reward would always come after exactly five seconds.