Which type of reinforcement schedule provides reinforcers only some of the time?

Intermittent reinforcement is a schedule of reinforcement that delivers reinforcers only occasionally rather than every time a desired behavior occurs. This approach can be more effective in maintaining long-term behavior change compared to continuous reinforcement, where every instance of behavior is reinforced.

By providing reinforcement sporadically, intermittent reinforcement helps to create a stronger and more resilient behavior because the individual learns that while reinforcement is not guaranteed, it does happen at unpredictable intervals. This unpredictability can maintain a higher level of engagement and motivation in the individual, as they continue to respond in hopes of receiving reinforcement.

In contrast, continuous reinforcement can lead to rapid behavior acquisition but may not be sustainable in the long term as behaviors can rapidly extinguish if reinforcement is halted. Non-contingent reinforcement, on the other hand, involves providing reinforcers regardless of the behavior, which is quite different from the intermittent approach. Contingent reinforcement refers to reinforcement that is directly tied to specific behavior, making intermittent reinforcement a more nuanced and effective option for certain learning scenarios.