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Related Experiment Videos

Measuring reinforcer efficacy: does relative persistence do it? Comment on Meisch (2000)

M N Branch1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, USA. branch@psych.ufl.edu

Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
|September 7, 2000
PubMed
Summary

This study critiques a method for scaling reinforcer effectiveness using fixed-ratio schedules. The chosen baseline significantly impacts results, potentially altering perceived experimental effects.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral science
  • Operant conditioning
  • Quantitative analysis

Background:

  • R. A. Meisch (2000a) proposed a method to scale reinforcer effectiveness.
  • This method uses the ratio of output under different fixed-ratio schedules.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the validity of Meisch's (2000a) method for scaling reinforcer effectiveness.
  • To highlight the critical role of baseline selection in this measurement technique.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized fixed-ratio (FR) schedules to measure behavioral output.
  • Calculated the ratio of output between a larger FR schedule and a smaller FR schedule.
  • Examined how different baseline selections influence the observed effects.

Main Results:

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  • The ratio generally increases with reinforcer magnitude.
  • The method violates the principle of measurement by comparison to a fixed standard.
  • Baseline selection can lead to a range of observed effects, from none to substantial.

Conclusions:

  • The method's reliance on a variable baseline compromises its foundational measurement principles.
  • Careful consideration and justification of baseline selection are crucial for accurate interpretation of results.
  • The observed effects are highly dependent on the chosen comparison standard.