Which statement about continuous reinforcement is true?

Which statement about continuous reinforcement is true?

• A. It reinforces a response after a fixed time interval only
• B. It reinforces some but not all correct responses
• C. It reinforces every correct response
• D. It reinforces responses randomly

Answer: (C)

Continuous reinforcement means rewarding every correct response. This is what defines it: each time the behavior occurs, a reinforcer follows, so the connection between the action and the reward is reinforced every single time. Because of this, learning happens quickly since the learner receives immediate feedback for every correct response. However, this also means the behavior can drop off quickly if reinforcement stops, since the expectation is constant reinforcement after each try. The other descriptions don’t fit continuous reinforcement: reinforcing after a fixed time interval refers to a time-based schedule, not every response; reinforcing only some responses describes partial/ intermittent reinforcement; and reinforcing randomly describes an unpredictable pattern rather than a consistent contingent outcome.

Continuous reinforcement means rewarding every correct response. This is what defines it: each time the behavior occurs, a reinforcer follows, so the connection between the action and the reward is reinforced every single time. Because of this, learning happens quickly since the learner receives immediate feedback for every correct response. However, this also means the behavior can drop off quickly if reinforcement stops, since the expectation is constant reinforcement after each try. The other descriptions don’t fit continuous reinforcement: reinforcing after a fixed time interval refers to a time-based schedule, not every response; reinforcing only some responses describes partial/ intermittent reinforcement; and reinforcing randomly describes an unpredictable pattern rather than a consistent contingent outcome.