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EFFECTS OF VARIATIONS IN THE TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF REINFORCEMENTS ON INTERVAL SCHEDULE PERFORMANCE
Author(s) -
Lund Charles A.
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.1976.26-155
Subject(s) - reinforcement , schedule , interval (graph theory) , computer science , psychology , mathematics , social psychology , combinatorics , operating system
Pigeons were exposed to variable‐interval and fixed‐interval schedules and schedules approximating variable‐interval and fixed‐interval schedules. The probabilities of the variable‐interval and fixed‐interval components in a mixed fixed‐interval variable‐interval schedule in Experiment I and the minimum and maximum interreinforcement intervals in Experiment II in a variable‐interval schedule were manipulated to create intermediate schedule contingencies and contingencies approximating simple variable‐interval or fixed‐interval contingencies. Maximal control by time as defined by quantitative indices of the temporal pattern of response occurred as fixed‐interval contingencies were approximated and minimal control occurred as variable‐interval contingencies were approximated. Changes in the temporal pattern of response were systematically related to changes in the temporal distribution of reinforcements with both procedural definitions for manipulating the temporal distribution of reinforcements.