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Concurrent performances: synthesizing rate constancies by manipulating contingencies for a single response.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|March 1, 1972
Summary
This study investigated pigeon behavior under variable-interval reinforcement schedules. Findings show that response rates remain constant even when key availability is interrupted, suggesting learned behavioral patterns.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Animal Cognition
Background:
- Previous research explored variable-interval reinforcement in pigeons using concurrent schedules.
- Pigeon pecking behavior was observed to be interrupted during extinction components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate temporal patterns of pigeon pecking behavior on a single key.
- To investigate the constancy of responding under interrupted key availability.
Main Methods:
- Single-key experiments mimicked temporal patterns of earlier concurrent-schedule studies.
- Variable-interval reinforcement was alternated with interrupted key availability.
- A single-key equivalent of a changeover delay was implemented.
Main Results:
- Approximately constant overall rates of responding were observed.
- Rate constancy was maintained with manipulations of interruption cycle durations.
- Behavioral patterns were successfully duplicated on a single key.
Conclusions:
- Constant response rates in concurrent situations may depend on response contingencies, not a fixed response reserve.
- Learned behavioral patterns can maintain response constancy under interrupted reinforcement schedules.