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Related Experiment Videos

Percentage reinforcement and choice.

E Fantino, R Dunn, W Meck

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

|November 1, 1979

Summary

Pigeons consistently preferred schedules offering a higher rate of reinforcement, regardless of whether outcomes were guaranteed or probabilistic. This preference held even when the alternative involved leaner reinforcement, not just nonreinforcement.

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Area of Science:

Behavioral Psychology
Animal Cognition
Operant Conditioning

Background:

Previous research indicated potential preference shifts in reinforcement schedules.
Understanding choice behavior in pigeons is crucial for behavioral economics.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate pigeon preference between reliable and percentage reinforcement schedules.
To assess the generality of preference for percentage reinforcement.
To explore factors influencing choice behavior under different reinforcement conditions.

Main Methods:

Pigeons were presented with concurrent variable-interval schedules.
Two types of schedules were used: reliable (always resulting in reinforcement) and percentage (providing reinforcement probabilistically).
A third condition involved a leaner schedule as the less preferred outcome.

Main Results:

In all conditions, pigeons preferred the schedule that provided a higher rate of reinforcement.
This preference was observed irrespective of whether the alternative outcome was nonreinforcement or a leaner schedule.
Stimulus properties in the choice phase may influence observed preferences.

Conclusions:

Pigeons demonstrate a robust preference for higher rates of reinforcement.
The physical similarity of stimuli may have influenced previous findings on reinforcement schedule preferences.
Findings contribute to understanding decision-making processes in non-human animals.

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