What type of reinforcement schedule does a waiter receiving tips for each customer served represent?

The scenario of a waiter receiving tips for each customer served best exemplifies a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule. In this context, the waiter earns a specific reward (the tip) after completing a predetermined number of responses (serving each customer). The reinforcement is contingent upon the completion of a certain number of tasks, creating a clear and consistent relationship between behavior and reward.

In fixed ratio schedules, reinforcement is provided after a set number of responses, which can lead to a high rate of responding as the individual works to earn the rewards. In this case, it’s straightforward: for every customer that the waiter serves, they receive a tip, establishing a direct and predictable connection between their effort and the tips received.

Using this reinforcement schedule encourages the waiter to maintain a steady pace and increased effort when serving customers since they recognize that each completed service directly correlates to a reward. This understanding drives the behavior to serve more customers in a timely manner to maximize tips.