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Some punishing effects of response-force
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|March 1, 1970
Summary
Increasing response force requirements in a two-component chain schedule punishes behavior. Higher force demands for the second component decreased the rate of responding in the first component.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Operant Conditioning
Background:
- Response-force requirements can influence behavior.
- Operant conditioning principles are used to study behavior modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the punishing effect of varying response-force requirements.
- To investigate how force demands impact behavior in a chained schedule.
Main Methods:
- A two-operant design analogous to a two-component chain schedule was employed.
- Response-force requirements in the second component were systematically increased.
- Reinforcement was delivered on a variable-interval schedule.
Main Results:
- The rate of responding in the first component decreased as the force requirement in the second component increased.
- This effect was not attributable to response duration, fatigue, or altered reinforcement rates.
Conclusions:
- A high force requirement serves as a punisher for preceding behavior.
- Response-force can be a significant factor in behavioral punishment.
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