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Evidence against a constant-difference effect in concurrent-chains schedules.

James E Mazur1

  • 1Psychology Department, Southern Connecticut State University, New Heaven 06515, USA. mazur@southernct.edu

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|April 9, 2002
PubMed
Summary

This study investigated choice behavior in pigeons using concurrent-chains schedules. Pigeons did not show a constant-difference effect, as their preference for shorter delays decreased with longer overall durations.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral science
  • Animal cognition
  • Operant conditioning

Background:

  • Concurrent-chains schedules are used to study choice behavior.
  • Previous research suggested a constant-difference effect in initial-link choices.
  • Theories of choice often involve delay-reduction principles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the constant-difference effect in pigeons' choice behavior.
  • To examine how terminal-link durations influence initial-link preferences.
  • To evaluate the findings in relation to delay-reduction theory.

Main Methods:

  • Two experiments were conducted with pigeons using concurrent-chains schedules.
  • Initial links used equal variable-interval schedules.
  • Terminal links involved fixed (Experiment 1) or variable (Experiment 2) delays.

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  • Terminal-link durations were systematically varied while maintaining a constant difference.

    • Main Results:

    • The constant-difference effect was not observed in either experiment.
    • Preference for the shorter terminal link diminished as overall durations increased.
    • Pigeons' choice proportions shifted towards indifference with longer delays.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings do not support the constant-difference effect under these conditions.
    • The results challenge a simple interpretation of delay-reduction theory.
    • Further research is needed to clarify choice mechanisms in concurrent-chains schedules.