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Local preference in concurrent schedules: the effects of reinforcer sequences
Christian U Krägeloh1, Michael Davison, Douglas M Elliffe
1Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, New Zealand. c.krageloh@auckland.ac.nz
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|September 15, 2005
Summary
Pigeons showed a preference for reinforcers. Shorter sequences of same-key reinforcers decreased this preference, suggesting reinforcers signal future locations.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Animal cognition
Background:
- Reinforcement learning is fundamental to behavior.
- Understanding how reinforcer history influences choice is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how sequences of reinforcers affect local preference.
- To investigate the role of reinforcer predictability in choice behavior.
Main Methods:
- Pigeons were subjects in concurrent variable-interval schedules.
- The dependency of reinforcers on the same key was manipulated.
- Conditional probability determined the length of same-key reinforcer sequences.
Main Results:
- A general tendency to stay with the just-reinforced alternative was observed.
- This tendency decreased significantly with shorter same-key reinforcer sequences.
- Reinforcer location predictability influenced choice behavior.
Conclusions:
- Reinforcer sequences significantly impact local preference.
- Reinforcers may act as signals for subsequent reinforcer availability.
- Behavioral momentum is influenced by the predictability of reinforcement.