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A quantitative analysis of extreme choice.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|September 1, 1995
Summary
This study on homing pigeons reveals that choice behavior deviates from predictions when reinforcer ratios are extreme. A contingency-discriminability model better explains pigeon choice under these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Animal cognition
- Operant conditioning
Background:
- Previous research on choice behavior often used limited reinforcer ratios.
- Understanding choice under extreme disparities in reinforcement frequency is crucial for behavioral models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate choice behavior in homing pigeons under concurrent variable-interval schedules with extreme reinforcer ratios.
- To compare the predictive power of the generalized matching law and a contingency-discriminability model.
Main Methods:
- Six homing pigeons were trained using a switching-key procedure.
- Concurrent variable-interval schedules with reinforcer ratios up to 160:1 and concurrent extinction were employed.
- Data were analyzed using the generalized matching law and a contingency-discriminability model.
Main Results:
- The generalized matching law initially fit the data well.
- Deviations towards equal choice were observed under extreme reinforcer ratios, not predicted by the generalized matching law.
- The contingency-discriminability model provided a more accurate description of the data.
Conclusions:
- The generalized matching law's fit diminishes with extreme reinforcer ratios.
- A contingency-discriminability model better explains choice behavior when reinforcement outcomes are highly disparate.
- This model also accounts for response maintenance when one alternative offers no reinforcement.