What reinforcement schedule rewards behavior based on specific time intervals?

The fixed interval schedule is a type of reinforcement schedule that rewards a desired behavior after a set period of time has passed. In this schedule, the first response that occurs after the fixed time interval receives a reward. This means that the timing of the reinforcement is consistent and predictable, which can lead to a pattern of behavior where individuals only exert effort or display the desired behavior when they know the reward is imminent.

For instance, if an employee knows they will receive a paycheck every two weeks, they might ramp up their productivity as the pay period draws near, leading to a predictable pattern of behavior aligned with the schedule of rewards. This reinforces the behavior of working hard, as the reinforcement (the paycheck) is linked to a specific, consistent timeframe.

The other options present different forms of reinforcement schedules or types of power that do not specifically reward behavior based on set time intervals, which is the defining characteristic of the fixed interval schedule.