Dissociation of value and response strength
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Pigeons showed preferences for higher reinforcement rates but sometimes chose options leading to lower rates, challenging maximization theory. This behavior aligns with strengthening analysis in operant conditioning.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Animal behavior
- Operant conditioning
Background:
- Understanding choice behavior in pigeons is crucial for behavioral science.
- Previous research explored reinforcement rate and response rate relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pigeon choice behavior under concurrent-chains schedules.
- To examine the relationship between response rate and reinforcement rate.
- To test predictions of maximization theory versus strengthening analysis.
Main Methods:
- Four pigeons were trained on multiple schedules, then concurrent-chains schedules.
- Terminal links featured either inverse or direct relationships between response and reinforcement rates.
- Interresponse times were further manipulated.
Main Results:
- Pigeons initially preferred terminal links with higher reinforcement rates.
- In some cases, pigeons' terminal-link responding resulted in lower reinforcement rates than preferred.
- This occurred despite initial-link behavior indicating a preference for higher rates.
Conclusions:
- The findings contradict the predictions of maximization theory.
- Results support a strengthening analysis of behavior in single-key schedules.
- Behavioral economics principles may need refinement for complex choice scenarios.
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