Which reinforcement schedule is likely to maintain behavior for the longest duration?

The variable-ratio schedule is known to maintain behaviors for the longest duration due to its unpredictability, which creates a steady and high level of response. In this type of reinforcement schedule, reinforcement is provided after an unpredictable number of responses, meaning that the subject never knows when reinforcement will occur. This uncertainty keeps individuals engaged and consistently responding, as they anticipate that their next action could be the one that leads to a reward.

This is particularly evident in scenarios such as gambling, where players may place many bets without knowing when they might win, leading to persistent behavior. The idea of unpredictability encourages individuals to keep trying, as the reinforcement can happen at any moment, making them less likely to stop the behavior altogether.

In contrast, fixed schedules (both fixed-ratio and fixed-interval) offer rewards at predictable rates, which can lead to a pause in responding once the reward is received and the excitement diminishes. Continuous reinforcement, while effective for initial learning, tends to result in a swift extinction of the behavior once the rewards stop, as the individual quickly learns that their actions are no longer yielding results.