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Bias and sensitivity to reinforcement in a concurrent-chain schedule
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|July 1, 1983
Summary
This study on pigeon behavior found that a changeover delay in concurrent-chain schedules simplifies analysis. The generalized matching law effectively predicts response allocation, improving understanding of reinforcement schedules.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Animal behavior studies
- Operant conditioning
Background:
- Concurrent-chain schedules are complex models of choice behavior.
- Previous research faced challenges in quantitatively predicting performance due to intricate link interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pigeon response allocation under concurrent-chain schedules.
- To evaluate the utility of the generalized matching law in this context.
- To assess the impact of a changeover delay on schedule performance.
Main Methods:
- Six pigeons were trained on concurrent-chain schedules with variable initial links and fixed-duration terminal links.
- A 3-second changeover delay was implemented in the initial links.
- Data were analyzed using the generalized matching law across 61 experimental conditions.
Main Results:
- Initial-link response allocation sensitivity to terminal-link frequency was independent of delay and initial-link schedule durations.
- Sensitivity to reinforcer-rate ratios was a joint function of terminal-link and initial-link durations.
- The changeover delay reduced complex terminal- to initial-link interactions.
Conclusions:
- The generalized matching law is a valuable tool for analyzing concurrent-chain schedule performance.
- Implementing a changeover delay simplifies performance analysis by mitigating certain interactions.
- Findings contribute to a more precise quantitative understanding of choice behavior under complex schedules.
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