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Published on: June 2, 2014
Reinforcer accumulation in a token-reinforcement context with pigeons
Rachelle L Yankelevitz1, Christopher E Bullock, Timothy D Hackenberg
1University of Florida, USA. ryank@ufl.edu
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|December 17, 2008
Summary
Pigeon behavior shows that token accumulation decreases with higher token production requirements but increases with more opportunities to exchange tokens. This highlights how reinforcement schedules influence accumulation patterns.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Animal Behavior Studies
Background:
- Token-reinforcement procedures are used to study operant conditioning.
- Understanding factors influencing token accumulation is crucial for behavioral economics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how token-production and exchange-production schedules affect token accumulation in pigeons.
- To examine the role of token availability in shaping accumulation behavior.
Main Methods:
- Four pigeons were trained on a token-reinforcement procedure.
- Key response requirements for token production and exchange were systematically varied.
- Token accumulation was measured in terms of frequency and magnitude.
Main Results:
- Token accumulation decreased as the token-production ratio increased.
- Token accumulation increased as the exchange-production ratio increased.
- Removing tokens significantly reduced accumulation compared to conditions with tokens.
Conclusions:
- Token accumulation is predictably influenced by the schedules governing token production and exchange.
- Findings support a unit-price model for understanding reinforcement schedules and response patterns.
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