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Related Experiment Videos

Dynamic equilibrium on a cyclic-interval schedule with a ramp.

J J McDowell, H M Sulzen

    Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
    |July 1, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary

    Human subjects on cyclic-interval schedules amplified reinforcement rate ramps. Most subjects matched the increasing reinforcement pattern, suggesting organisms can act as simple amplifiers in behavioral economics.

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    Area of Science:

    • Behavioral psychology
    • Operant conditioning
    • Reinforcement schedules

    Background:

    • Understanding how reinforcement schedules influence behavior is crucial in behavioral psychology.
    • Cyclic-interval schedules with linearly increasing reinforcement rates (ramps) have not been extensively studied.
    • Previous research suggests organisms can adapt their response rates to match reinforcement patterns.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate human response patterns on cyclic-interval schedules with rate ramps.
    • To determine if human subjects amplify or alter the reinforcement signal.
    • To explore the controlling variables in cyclic-interval schedules.

    Main Methods:

    • Five human subjects participated in a study involving a panel-pressing task for monetary reinforcement.
    • A cyclic-interval schedule was employed, featuring periods of linearly increasing reinforcement rates (ramps).
    • Response rates were recorded and analyzed against the reinforcement input over time.

    Main Results:

    • All subjects exhibited response rate patterns that mirrored the cyclic reinforcement input, showing linearly increasing rates.
    • Four out of five subjects' responding was synchronized (in phase) with the reinforcement schedule.
    • One subject displayed a consistent two-minute phase shift in their response pattern.

    Conclusions:

    • Organisms may function as simple amplifiers on cyclic-interval schedules, maintaining the form of the input signal with increased magnitude.
    • The findings suggest that constant reinforcement acceleration, inherent in rate ramp schedules, may be a key controlling variable.
    • This study provides insights into the dynamic relationship between reinforcement schedules and behavioral output in humans.

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