In which reinforcement schedule is the first response rewarded only after a designated period of time?

The correct answer is the Fixed Interval Schedule. In this reinforcement schedule, a reward or reinforcement is provided after a specified amount of time has passed, only if a response is made. This means that for a behavior to be reinforced, it must first occur after a set period.

For example, if a student knows they will receive a reward for completing their homework every hour, they are likely to increase their efforts to complete the task as the hour approaches. The fixed nature of the time period means that the reinforcement is predictable, which influences the frequency and timing of the response.

In contrast, the Variable Interval Schedule involves reinforcement that is given at unpredictable times, leading to a different pattern of response. The Variable Ratio Schedule provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, which creates a high and steady rate of response. The Fixed Ratio Schedule gives reinforcement after a set number of responses have been made, focusing more on the quantity of responses rather than the timing. Each of these schedules has distinct impacts on behavior, but the Fixed Interval Schedule specifically focuses on the timing aspect for reinforcement following the first response.