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Fixed-interval behavior: effects of percentage reinforcement
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|March 1, 1972
Summary
Pigeons showed varied response rates based on food reinforcement schedules. Fixed-interval patterns persisted even with reduced food presentations, suggesting behavioral sequences act as single units.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Animal behavior studies
Background:
- Fixed-interval schedules are common in animal behavior research.
- Understanding reinforcement schedules is key to predicting behavior patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how varying the percentage of food reinforcement affects pigeon behavior.
- To determine the conditions under which fixed-interval responding is maintained.
Main Methods:
- Pigeons were exposed to fixed intervals with varying percentages of food reinforcement.
- A timeout stimulus or chamber darkening was used when food was not presented.
- Response rates and patterns were systematically recorded.
Main Results:
- Experiment I showed an inverted U-shaped response rate function with decreasing food percentages (100% to 50%).
- Experiment II indicated a direct relationship between food percentage and response rate.
- Fixed-interval responding patterns were maintained across a wide range of reinforcement percentages (7% to 100%).
Conclusions:
- Fixed-interval performance can be maintained with partial reinforcement.
- Behavioral sequences within intervals may function as unitary responses.