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The effects of session length on demand functions generated using FR schedules.
T Mary Foster1, Jennifer Kinloch, Alan Poling
1School of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. M.Foster@waikato.ac.nz
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|May 7, 2011
Summary
Session length significantly impacts animal behavior studies comparing open and closed economies. Shorter sessions yield higher response rates and shorter pauses, while longer sessions show the opposite, affecting demand functions.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral economics
- Animal behavior research
Background:
- Session length is a critical variable in studies comparing open and closed economies.
- Previous research suggests session duration influences performance and demand functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of varying open-economy session lengths on domestic hen behavior.
- To determine if session length confounds comparisons between economic systems.
Main Methods:
- Domestic hens were exposed to fixed-ratio schedules with session lengths of 10, 40, 60, and 120 minutes.
- Total-session response rates, pause lengths, and demand functions were analyzed.
- Behavioral data from equivalent periods within different session lengths were compared.
Main Results:
- Total-session response rates and pause lengths were significantly affected by session duration.
- Shorter sessions resulted in higher response rates and shorter pauses; longer sessions showed the inverse.
- Demand functions varied with session length, with shorter sessions exhibiting steeper initial slopes.
Conclusions:
- Session length can confound findings in open versus closed economy comparisons.
- Behavioral data from equivalent time periods, not total session data, are crucial for accurate comparisons.
- Standardizing session length or analyzing equivalent periods is recommended for robust research outcomes.
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