Rate of responding as a function of ratio requirement when to supplemental feedings are given

Pigeons pecked keys or pressed treadles on variable ratio schedules in which they earned their total daily ration of food. Ratio requirements varied in five steps from 15 to 240 responses per reinforcer. Results were generally similar for pecking and pressing. Rates of responding increased with increases in the ratio requirement, but decreased with increases in the obtained rates of reinforcement. The amount of food obtained per session also decreased with increases in the ratio requirement. These results are generally consistent with Hursh's behavioral economics model and with Allison's conservation theory. They are not consistent with theories, such as Herrnstein's, which predict that rates of responding will vary as a direct function of rates of reinforcement.