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Effect of punishment on human variable-interval performance.

C M Bradshaw, E Szabadi, P Bevan

    Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
    |March 1, 1977
    PubMed
    Summary
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    This study investigated how reinforcement frequency and punishment affect human button-pressing behavior. Punishment significantly suppressed responding, altering the relationship between reinforcement and response rates as described by Herrnstein's equation.

    Area of Science:

    • Behavioral psychology
    • Operant conditioning
    • Human operant behavior

    Background:

    • Understanding the relationship between reinforcement and response rates is crucial in behavioral psychology.
    • Herrnstein's equation describes the negatively accelerated function between response rate and reinforcement frequency.
    • The impact of punishment on this relationship in human subjects requires further investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To examine the effects of varying reinforcement frequencies on human operant responding.
    • To investigate the suppressive effects of punishment on operant behavior under different reinforcement schedules.
    • To determine how punishment alters the parameters of Herrnstein's equation in human subjects.

    Main Methods:

    • Three female human participants engaged in button-pressing for monetary reinforcement.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Variable-interval schedules were used to manipulate reinforcement frequency.
  • A variable-ratio 34 punishment schedule was concurrently applied on alternate days.

    • Main Results:

    • Response rate increased with reinforcement frequency, conforming to Herrnstein's equation in the absence of punishment.
    • The punishment schedule suppressed responding across all reinforcement frequencies.
    • Punishment altered Herrnstein's equation parameters: maximum response rate decreased, and reinforcement frequency for half-maximal rate increased.

    Conclusions:

    • Reinforcement frequency positively influences human operant response rates, consistent with established behavioral principles.
    • Punishment effectively suppresses operant behavior, even when reinforcement is available.
    • Punishment modifies the fundamental parameters governing the rate-frequency relationship in human operant conditioning.