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Choices between segmented and unsegmented schedules and the self-control paradigm.
Jérôme Alessandri1, Kennon A Lattal, Edmund Fantino
1University of Lille 3, France. jerome.alessandri@univ-lille3.fr
Behavioural Processes
|December 5, 2012
Summary
Pigeons initially preferred unsegmented schedules, but a delay manipulation reversed this preference, suggesting self-control influences choices in concurrent-chains schedules involving conditioned reinforcers.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Animal Cognition
- Decision-Making
Background:
- Concurrent-chains schedules are used to study choice behavior.
- Typically, unsegmented schedules are preferred over segmented ones.
- Recent human studies show preference reversals under specific conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate choice behavior between segmented and unsegmented schedules in pigeons.
- To test the self-control contingency account of preference.
- To examine the effect of temporal delays on choice in concurrent-chains schedules.
Main Methods:
- Concurrent-chains procedure with pigeons.
- Manipulation of terminal link stimulus presentation in Experiment 1.
- Introduction of delays between initial-link response and terminal link onset in Experiment 2.
Main Results:
- Experiment 1 failed to replicate human preference reversals with pigeons.
- Results in Experiment 1 were consistent with a self-control contingency involving conditioned reinforcers.
- Experiment 2 showed a preference reversal towards the segmented schedule when delays were introduced.
Conclusions:
- Self-control contingencies, particularly those involving conditioned reinforcers, play a significant role in choice behavior within concurrent-chains schedules.
- Temporal factors, such as delays, can modulate preferences, aligning with self-control principles.
- The findings support the utility of self-control as an explanatory framework for schedule-induced preferences.
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