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RELATIVE AND ABSOLUTE DENSITY OF REINFORCEMENT AS FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PEAK SHIFT 1
Author(s) -
Wheatley Kimbal L.,
Thomas David R.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
journal of the experimental analysis of behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.75
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1938-3711
pISSN - 0022-5002
DOI - 10.1901/jeab.1974.22-409
Subject(s) - reinforcement , differential reinforcement , schedule , interval (graph theory) , generalization , mathematics , statistics , audiology , materials science , medicine , combinatorics , mathematical analysis , computer science , composite material , operating system
Four groups of six pigeons each were given nondifferential training on multiple variable‐interval variable‐interval reinforcement schedules and then were switched to differential training involving a multiple schedule in which reinforcement density was reduced in one of the two components. The multiple schedules used in the four groups had mean interreinforcement intervals of 1 min and 1 min in the two components changed to 1 min, 5 min; 2.5 min, 2.5 min changed to 2.5 min, 5 min; 12 sec, 12 sec changed to 12 sec, 24 sec; and 12 sec, 12 sec changed to 12 sec, 60 sec. In subsequently administered wavelength generalization tests, some peak shifts were observed in each condition and occurred occasionally in the absence of behavioral contrast or rate reduction in the less‐reinforced component. The best predictor of peak shift was a high proportion of total responses emitted during the more‐reinforced component at the end of differential training.