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Sensitivity to reinforcement in concurrent arithmetic and exponential schedules.

R Taylor, M Davison

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

|January 1, 1983

Summary

The generalized matching law

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Area of Science:

Behavioral psychology
Animal behavior studies
Operant conditioning principles

Background:

The generalized matching law describes response allocation based on reinforcement ratios.
Sensitivity to reinforcement in this law can vary across studies and laboratories.
Previous research indicates inconsistencies in measured reinforcement sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate factors influencing sensitivity to reinforcement in concurrent variable-interval schedules.
To determine if the method of constructing variable-interval schedules affects response allocation.
To explain discrepancies in reinforcement sensitivity findings across different laboratories.

Main Methods:

Reanalysis of data from 18 experiments on concurrent variable-interval schedules.
Comparison of response and time allocation using arithmetic versus exponential interval progressions.
Statistical analysis of sensitivity to reinforcement under different schedule construction methods.

Main Results:

Response-allocation sensitivity to reinforcement was significantly lower with arithmetic progressions compared to exponential progressions.
No significant difference in time-allocation sensitivity was found between the two schedule construction methods.
Differences in schedule construction methods between laboratories explain observed variations in reinforcement sensitivity.

Conclusions:

The method used to construct variable-interval schedules significantly impacts response-allocation sensitivity to reinforcement.
Animals may be sensitive to the temporal distribution of reinforcements, not just the overall ratio.
Standardizing schedule construction methods is crucial for consistent findings in behavioral research.

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