Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

Which schedule of reinforcement is considered most effective in maintaining behaviors over time?

1. Continuous reinforcement

2. Intermittent reinforcement

3. Fixed-interval reinforcement

4. Variable-ratio reinforcement

The correct answer is: Intermittent reinforcement

Intermittent reinforcement is regarded as one of the most effective schedules for maintaining behaviors over time. This approach provides reinforcement after some, but not all, instances of the desired behavior. It naturally creates a level of unpredictability, which can strengthen the behavior by making it more resistant to extinction. When individuals receive reinforcement sporadically rather than continuously, they are more likely to persist in the behavior because the expectation of reinforcement remains. In contrast, continuous reinforcement, while effective for establishing a new behavior quickly, tends to lead to faster extinction once the reinforcement is removed because the individual becomes accustomed to receiving reinforcement every time they engage in the behavior. Fixed-interval reinforcement can also result in predictable patterns of responding, leading individuals to only perform the behavior around the time they expect to be reinforced. Variable-ratio reinforcement is similar to intermittent reinforcement but focuses specifically on reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses; while also effective, intermittent reinforcement as a broader category allows for various methods that can sustain behavior. Thus, the overall effectiveness of intermittent reinforcement in promoting persistent behaviors is a key reason for its recognition in behavior analysis.