Comparing fixed-ratio and fixed-interval schedules, the chapter concludes that:
ABoth schedules raise quality but lower the quantity produced
BBoth schedules raise quantity but lower the quality of work
CFixed ratio suits quantity, fixed interval can raise quality
DFixed interval suits quantity, fixed ratio can raise quality
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Fixed ratio suits quantity, fixed interval can raise quality
1. Under a fixed-ratio schedule the reward depends purely on the number of responses produced.
2. The chapter's saleswoman earns commission per pair of glasses sold, so she maximises how many she sells and does not care whether each customer really needs them.
3. Because the payoff is not quantity based, a fixed-interval schedule removes that pressure to churn out responses.
4. The chapter states directly that fixed ratios are better suited to optimising the quantity of output, whereas a fixed interval can lead to a higher quality of output.
5. Options A and B fail because the two schedules do not behave identically on either dimension.
_Source: OpenStax Psychology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Learning", §6.3 Operant Conditioning_
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