Matching to relative reinforcement frequency in multiple schedules with a short component duration

Area of Science:

• Behavioral psychology
• Animal behavior studies

Background:

• The matching law describes response rates matching reinforcement frequencies under concurrent schedules.
• Its applicability to multiple schedules, especially with varying component durations, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the matching law's validity in two-component multiple variable-interval variable-interval schedules.
• To examine the effects of component duration and relative reinforcement frequency on response allocation.

Main Methods:

• Three pigeons were trained on multiple variable-interval variable-interval schedules.
• Independent variables included component duration (2-180 seconds) and relative reinforcement frequency (0.2 or 0.8).

Main Results:

• Response relative frequency in a component approached relative reinforcement frequency as component duration decreased.
• With a fixed short component duration (5 seconds), response rates closely approximated reinforcement frequencies.
• The matching relationship was observed in multiple schedules under short component durations.

Conclusions:

• The matching law extends to multiple schedules when component durations are sufficiently short.
• Component duration is a critical factor influencing response allocation under multiple schedules.
• This study demonstrates a broader applicability of the matching law in understanding choice behavior.