Which of the following statements is true about operant conditioning?

A) Neither partial nor continuous reinforcement leads to behaviors that will persist for long periods of time.
B) Continuous reinforcement leads to behaviors that will persist longer than behavior learned through partial or intermittent reinforcement.
C) Partial reinforcement leads to behaviors that will persist longer than behavior learned through continuous reinforcement.
D) Continuous reinforcement and partial reinforcement lead to behaviors that persist for equally long periods of time.

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Dylan Bloomquist · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : C, Explanation :  Partial reinforcement leads to behaviors that will persist longer than behavior learned through continuous reinforcement. This is because partial reinforcement results in a more stable and resistant behavior pattern. When reinforcement is given intermittently, the behavior becomes more resistant to extinction, as the subject continues to expect that reinforcement may be available in the future. This is in contrast to continuous reinforcement, where the subject may become less motivated to perform the behavior when reinforcement is no longer provided.

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