To determine the schedule on which the bonus is delivered, let's examine the details of the scenario:
1. Associates receive the bonus for every tenth sale.
2. This means the reward (bonus) is given after a fixed number of responses (sales), specifically after every 10 sales.
In psychology and behavior theory, different reinforcement schedules determine how and when a behavior is reinforced. Let's briefly go over each type of reinforcement schedule:
1. Variable-interval schedule: Reinforcement is given at unpredictable time intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes on average but not exactly every 5 minutes).
2. Variable-ratio schedule: Reinforcement is provided after a varying number of responses (e.g., on average, every 10 responses but not exactly every 10th response).
3. Fixed-interval schedule: Reinforcement is given for the first response after a fixed time period (e.g., every 10 minutes).
4. Fixed-ratio schedule: Reinforcement is provided after a fixed number of responses (e.g., every 10 responses).
Given the associates receive a $100 cash bonus for every tenth sale, it matches the definition of a fixed-ratio schedule where the reinforcement is given after a set number of responses.
Therefore, the correct answer is: fixed-ratio.
