Preference for less segmented fixed-time components in concurrent-chain schedules of reinforcement

Area of Science:

• Behavioral psychology
• Animal behavior
• Operant conditioning

Background:

• Concurrent-chain procedures are used to study choice behavior.
• Response-independent schedules of reinforcement involve stimuli presented at fixed or variable times, independent of the subject's responses.
• Segmenting interval schedules can alter choice patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate pigeons' choice between segmented (chained) and less segmented (tandem) response-independent schedules of reinforcement.
• To examine how the length of the initial component in a chained schedule affects choice.
• To compare choice behavior under signaled and unsignaled delays of reinforcement.

Main Methods:

• A concurrent-chain procedure with concurrent variable-interval schedules in the initial link.
• Terminal links consisted of chained fixed-interval/fixed-time and tandem schedules.
• The fixed-interval schedule length varied (5-30s), while the fixed-time schedule remained constant (5s).
• Stimuli signaled the second component of the chained schedule, but not the tandem schedule.

Main Results:

• Pigeons generally preferred the tandem schedule over the chained schedule.
• This preference for tandem schedules decreased as the duration of the initial component increased.
• Results align with studies showing negative effects of schedule segmentation on choice.

Conclusions:

• Schedule segmentation, particularly with longer initial components, can adversely affect choice.
• Findings contrast with previous research suggesting a preference for signaled over unsignaled delays.
• The study highlights the influence of schedule structure and component length on reinforcement choice.