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Related Experiment Videos

Comparing preference and resistance to change in constant- and variable-duration schedule components.

R C Grace1, J A Nevin

  • 1University of Canterbury, Department of Psychology, Christchurch, New Zealand. r.grace@psyc.canterbury.ac.nz

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|October 12, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Pigeons showed different preferences for reinforcement schedules based on duration. Reinforcement numerosity may influence behavior more than current models suggest.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral science
  • Animal behavior
  • Operant conditioning

Background:

  • Preference and resistance to change are key concepts in behavioral economics.
  • Previous research indicates a covariation between preference and resistance to change.
  • Understanding these behaviors is crucial for predicting responses to complex reinforcement schedules.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how reinforcement schedule duration (variable vs. constant) affects preference and resistance to change in pigeons.
  • To examine the influence of reinforcement numerosity on these behavioral measures.
  • To test the explanatory power of current models in predicting these outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Concurrent chains procedure with terminal links as variable-interval schedules of either variable or constant duration.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Pigeons served as subjects in two experiments.
  • Resistance to change was assessed using response-independent food and prefeeding manipulations.

    • Main Results:

    • Preference overmatched relative reinforcement rate for constant-duration schedules but not variable-duration schedules.
    • Pigeons consistently preferred constant-duration terminal links over single-reinforcer terminal links.
    • Resistance to change aligned with preference, with less decrease in responding for preferred schedules.

    Conclusions:

    • Preference and resistance to change generally covary as predicted.
    • Reinforcement numerosity and variability may play a more significant role than current models account for.
    • Findings suggest a need to refine existing models of choice and persistence in operant behavior.