Preference for less segmented over more segmented reinforcement schedules: Stimulus and response factors

A concurrent-chain procedure was employed to examine choice between a pair of differentially segmented schedules of reinforcement of equal interreinforcement interval ( 15 s). To assess the effect of response segmentation on choice, two conditions had schedules of same stimulus conditions but of different response conditions. The effect of stimulus segmentation was also evaluated in two other conditions by comparing schedules of same response conditions but of different stimulus conditions. With one exception, a schedule segmented by less events was always preferred to one that was segmented by more events. It was suggested that, in addition to the stimulus change, the response requirement in a segmented chained schedule may have also contributed to the preference shift from that schedule.