Which type of reinforcement schedule strengthens behavior by providing reinforcement after a specific number of responses?

The choice of reinforcement schedule that strengthens behavior by providing reinforcement after a specific number of responses is the fixed ratio schedule. In this type of schedule, reinforcement is provided after an exact number of responses have been emitted. For example, if a behavior is reinforced after every tenth response, individuals quickly learn to associate their behavior with the reward, motivating them to produce the desired responses efficiently.

The fixed ratio schedule is particularly effective for reinforcing high rates of responding because individuals may increase their response rate to obtain reinforcement more quickly. This is commonly seen in situations such as a worker receiving a bonus after completing a certain number of units—where the predictable nature of the reinforcement encourages sustained effort and performance.

In contrast, other schedules of reinforcement, such as variable interval and fixed interval, focus on the timing of reinforcement rather than the number of responses. A variable ratio schedule provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, which can lead to high and steady rates of behavior but does not specify a fixed number. The fixed interval schedule, on the other hand, provides reinforcement after a set period, regardless of the number of responses made during that time, leading to different patterns of behavior.