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NEGATIVELY REINFORCED KEY PECKING 1
Author(s) -
Lewis Paul,
Lewin Lew,
Stoyak Mike,
Muehleisen Penny
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.1974.22-83
Subject(s) - pecking order , reinforcement , shock (circulatory) , zoology , psychology , biology , social psychology , medicine , ecology
A reinforcement‐switching procedure was used to produce negatively reinforced key pecking in pigeons. First, key pecking on a chain schedule (fixed‐interval 10‐sec variable‐interval 60‐sec) was conditioned using grain reinforcement. Second, intermittent shock in the initial link was introduced at a low intensity and gradually increased. Third, food reinforcement in the terminal link was eliminated. With shock at 90 V occurring on the average every 3 sec, initial‐link pecking was maintained with no terminal‐link food. Three of four pigeons responded consistently at shock intensities of 90, 70, and 50 V but not at 30 V. A fourth pigeon responded at but not below 90 V. Rate of response was directly related to shock frequency. Eliminating food deprivation did not affect the negatively reinforced performance.