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Conditioned reinforcement value and resistance to change.
Timothy A Shahan1, Christopher A Podlesnik
1Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA. Tim.Shahan@usu.edu
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|June 11, 2008
Summary
Primary reinforcement rate, not conditioned reinforcer value, influences resistance to change in pigeons. Higher primary reinforcement rates consistently increased resistance to change, regardless of the conditioned stimulus value.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Animal behavior studies
Background:
- Conditioned reinforcers acquire value by being associated with primary reinforcers.
- Understanding factors influencing resistance to change is crucial for behavioral modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how conditioned reinforcement value and primary reinforcement rate affect resistance to change.
- To examine the role of observing responses in multiple schedules of reinforcement.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments utilized multiple schedules of observing-response procedures with pigeons.
- Varied conditioned reinforcer value and primary reinforcement rate across different schedule components.
- Measured resistance to change and observing-response rates.
Main Results:
- Observing-response rates were higher for more valuable conditioned reinforcers.
- Resistance to change was not influenced by the value of the conditioned reinforcer.
- Resistance to change was directly and orderly related to the rate of primary reinforcement.
Conclusions:
- Primary reinforcement rate, not conditioned reinforcer value, is a key determinant of resistance to change.
- The value of a conditioned stimulus may not directly impact response strength or resistance to change.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which conditioned stimuli influence behavior.
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