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Selective punishment of interresponse times
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|May 1, 1981
Summary
Electric shock contingent on long response times increased lever pressing rates in squirrel monkeys. This suggests punishment can differentiate response timing, supporting interresponse times as behavioral units.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Animal behavior
Background:
- Operant conditioning principles govern behavior modification.
- Interresponse times (IRTs) are crucial metrics in behavioral analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of punishment on interresponse times (IRTs).
- To determine if IRTs can be functionally differentiated using punishment.
Main Methods:
- Squirrel monkeys' lever pressing was maintained on a variable-interval schedule.
- Response-dependent electric shock was applied based on IRT duration.
Main Results:
- Shock contingent on long IRTs increased response rates.
- Shock independent of IRTs decreased response rates.
- Punishment selectively altered IRT distributions.
Conclusions:
- Interresponse times (IRTs) can be differentiated by punishment.
- This supports the concept of IRTs as functional units of behavior.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Timing and Consequences on Behavior
In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective.
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...
01:27Punishment
Negative reinforcement and punishment are often confused but serve distinct functions in behavior modification. Reinforcement, whether positive or negative, increases the likelihood of a desired behavior, while punishment decreases it.
Punishment can be positive or negative. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding, to decrease a behavior. Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus, such as taking away a favorite toy, to decrease behavior.
Punishment can be positive or negative. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding, to decrease a behavior. Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus, such as taking away a favorite toy, to decrease behavior.