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RAPID ACQUISITION OF BIAS IN SIGNAL DETECTION: DYNAMICS OF EFFECTIVE REINFORCEMENT ALLOCATION
Author(s) -
Hutsell Blake A.,
Jacobs Eric A.
Publication year - 2012
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.2012.97-29
Subject(s) - reinforcement , stimulus (psychology) , psychology , pseudorandom binary sequence , detection theory , audiology , statistics , computer science , cognitive psychology , binary number , mathematics , social psychology , arithmetic , detector , medicine , telecommunications
We investigated changes in bias (preference for one response alternative) in signal detection when relative reinforcer frequency for correct responses varied across sessions. In Experiment 1, 4 rats responded in a two‐stimulus, two‐response identification procedure employing temporal stimuli (short vs. long houselight presentations). Relative reinforcer frequency varied according to a 31‐step pseudorandom binary sequence and stimulus duration difference varied over two values across conditions. In Experiment 2, 3 rats responded in a five‐stimulus, two‐response classification procedure employing temporal stimuli. Relative reinforcer frequency was varied according to a 36‐step pseudorandom ternary sequence. Results of both experiments were analyzed according to a behavioral model of detection. The model was extended to incorporate the effects of current and previous session reinforcer frequency ratios on current‐session performance. Similar to findings with concurrent schedules, effects on bias of relative reinforcer frequency were highest for the current session. However, carryover from reinforcer ratios of previous sessions was evident. Generally, the results indicate that bias can come under control of frequent changes in relative reinforcer frequency in both identification and classification procedures.