What is a consequence of ratio strain in Variable Ratio schedules?

In the context of Variable Ratio schedules, ratio strain occurs when the reinforcement demands become too high for the learner, leading to decreased rates of responding. This can happen when the number of responses required to earn a reward increases significantly or becomes too unpredictable, resulting in frustration or burnout. As a result, the animal may start to show a reduced frequency of behavior, causing a noticeable drop in response rates.

This phenomenon highlights the delicate balance that must be maintained when using Variable Ratio schedules. If the schedule is too demanding, the learner may become overwhelmed, leading to a decline in motivation and engagement, which aligns with the observation that response rates will decrease due to this strain. The other choices reflect different aspects of reinforcement schedules but do not capture the specific impact of ratio strain on behavior as accurately.