Which method is considered the most sustainable way to establish a learned response?

Partial reinforcement is considered the most sustainable method for establishing a learned response because it helps to create more resilient behavior that is less likely to extinguish over time. In partial reinforcement, not every instance of the desired behavior is rewarded, which can lead to greater persistence in that behavior.

This method encourages individuals to continue their efforts even in the absence of consistent reinforcement, as the occasional reward becomes more significant and motivates the individual to keep trying. The unpredictability of reinforcement can enhance the strength of the learned behavior because it maintains an element of surprise and excitement, making it less susceptible to extinction compared to continuous reinforcement, where behaviors tend to decrease rapidly once reinforcement stops.

In addition, partial reinforcement leads to what is known as the variable ratio schedule, where responses are reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses. This schedule has been shown to produce high levels of response and is one reason why behaviors learned under partial reinforcement are often more enduring.