Which type of schedule of reinforcement is best for maintenance?

A variable schedule of reinforcement is highly effective for maintaining behavior over the long term. This type of schedule does not provide reinforcement after every response but rather delivers reinforcement after unpredictable periods or varying numbers of correct responses. This unpredictability keeps the organism engaged and motivated to respond, as they cannot predict when they will receive the reward.

Continuous schedules, while effective for establishing new behaviors, often lead to satiation and diminished response rates once the behavior is learned. Fixed schedules, including fixed interval schedules, create a pattern of responding that can lead to pauses in behavior after reinforcement is received, potentially reducing the overall rate of responses over time. Thus, while all schedules have their utility, the variable schedule stands out as the most effective for sustaining behavior over time due to its reinforcement variability, creating a stronger and more persistent behavioral response.