What type of schedule specifies that every response is reinforced?

The correct answer is the continuous schedule, which indeed specifies that every response is reinforced. In a continuous reinforcement schedule, each time a behavior occurs, it is followed immediately by a reinforcing consequence, leading to the establishment of a strong association between the behavior and the reinforcement. This approach is particularly effective for teaching new behaviors, as it provides immediate feedback and encourages the learner to repeat the behavior.

For instance, when a child is learning to say "please" when asking for something, every time they use the word appropriately and it is followed by a positive response (like receiving the desired item), it reinforces that behavior. This creates a clear and consistent relationship between their action and the outcome, which can lead to rapid skill acquisition.

In contrast, a partial schedule does not reinforce every response, which can lead to different patterns of behavior and is used for maintaining behaviors once they are established. Fixed and variable schedules refer to the timing of reinforcement (fixed being a set amount of time or responses and variable being unpredictable), but they do not provide reinforcement for every occurrence of the behavior. Thus, while they can be effective for promoting persistence and resilience in behaviors over time, they do not specify that each response will receive reinforcement.