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Temporal control of behavior: schedule interactions.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|November 1, 1978
Summary
Reinforcing longer postreinforcement pauses under fixed-interval schedules decreased their occurrence. Pause duration was linked to the shortest pause dependency, not the overall reinforcement interval.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Operant conditioning
Background:
- Postreinforcement pauses are common in fixed-interval schedules.
- Understanding factors influencing pause duration is crucial for behavioral analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of reinforcing extended postreinforcement pauses.
- To examine how schedule contingencies influence pause duration and discriminative control.
Main Methods:
- Experiment I: Reinforced responses ending pauses >30s under a fixed-interval 60s schedule.
- Experiments II(a) & II(b): Implemented alternative fixed-interval schedules contingent on pause duration.
Main Results:
- Reinforcing longer pauses decreased their frequency.
- Pause duration correlated with the shortest controlling pause, irrespective of mean reinforcement interval.
- Complex discriminative control effects were observed.
Conclusions:
- Contingent reinforcement of extended postreinforcement pauses can reduce their occurrence.
- Pause duration is primarily influenced by immediate schedule dependencies rather than overall reinforcement rates.
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