Tom gets paid for every 6 pages he types. What type of reinforcement schedule does this represent?

The situation described illustrates a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement. In this type of reinforcement, a behavior is reinforced after a specified number of responses have been made. Since Tom is paid after every 6 pages he types, there is a clear, consistent requirement for the reinforcement (the payment) to occur every time he completes the same number of pages.

This creates a predictable relationship between the effort put into typing (the number of pages) and the reward (payment), which can enhance motivation and encourage Tom to maintain his productivity. In essence, the reinforcement is contingent upon a fixed number of responses, satisfying the criteria for a fixed ratio schedule.

The other options deal with different patterns of reinforcement: continuous reinforcement involves providing a reward after every instance of the desired behavior, intermittent reinforcement refers to providing rewards at irregular intervals, and variable schedule describes a system where the number of responses required for reinforcement changes unpredictably. Thus, these do not apply to the clear and specific nature of Tom’s payment structure.