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PERFORMANCE ON VARIABLE‐INTERVAL SCHEDULES ARRANGED SINGLY AND CONCURRENTLY 1
Author(s) -
Davison M. C.,
Hunter I. W.
Publication year - 1976
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.1976.25-335
Subject(s) - reinforcement , statistics , schedule , function (biology) , matching law , parametric statistics , power function , exponent , preference , interval (graph theory) , computer science , mathematics , psychology , combinatorics , social psychology , mathematical analysis , linguistics , philosophy , evolutionary biology , biology , operating system
Extensive parametric data were obtained from pigeons responding on variable‐interval schedules arranged on three, two, and one response keys. Number of responses on the keys, the time spent responding on the keys, and the number of reinforcements obtained on the keys were measured. Response rates on each key were an increasing function of the reinforcement rate on that key, and an inverse function of the reinforcement rate on the other keys. In terms of preference, both response and time‐allocation ratios undermatched ratios of obtained reinforcements, and the degree of undermatching was consistent both within, and between, two‐ and three‐schedule data. When absolute response‐rate data were analyzed according to Herrnstein's (1970) quantitative account, obtained values of assumed constants were not consistent either within or between conditions. However, a power‐function modification of Herrnstein's account fitted the data well and provided similar exponent values to those obtained for the undermatching of preference ratios.