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Stock optimizing in choice when a token deposit is the operant.
J J Widholm1, A Silberberg, S R Hursh
1Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61802, USA. jwidholm@uiuc.edu
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|January 5, 2002
Summary
Monkeys prioritize earning more food items, even if it means a slower overall rate of reinforcement. They demonstrated "stock optimizing" behavior, choosing options that maximized total reinforcers earned per session.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Economics
- Animal Behavior
- Operant Conditioning
Background:
- Understanding decision-making processes in non-human primates is crucial for comparative psychology.
- Previous research has explored factors influencing choice behavior under various reinforcement schedules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether monkeys prioritize the rate of reinforcement or the total number of reinforcers earned.
- To examine how different reinforcement schedules influence choice behavior in monkeys.
Main Methods:
- Two monkeys were presented with choices between two token-deposit slots.
- Slots were associated with different fixed-ratio (FR) and variable-interval (VI) schedules of food reinforcement.
- One slot returned the deposited token, while the other kept it.
Main Results:
- Monkeys initially preferred the token-returned slot, which offered a higher rate of reinforcement.
- Preference shifted to the token-kept slot when the potential total reinforcers were significantly higher, despite a lower reinforcement rate.
- Monkeys consistently chose schedules that maximized the total number of food pellets obtained.
Conclusions:
- Monkeys exhibit 'stock optimizing' behavior, prioritizing the maximization of total earned reinforcers over reinforcement rate.
- This suggests a sophisticated economic decision-making process in primates, balancing immediate reward rate with overall gain.