Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Rapid determinations of preference in multiple concurrent-chain schedules.

D T Cerutti, A C Catania

    Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
    |September 1, 1986
    PubMed
    Summary

    Researchers developed a faster method to measure animal preferences using concurrent-chain schedules. This technique allows for quicker and more reliable assessments of choices between different reward schedules in pigeons.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Rapid, accurate time estimation in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

    Behavioural processes·2013
    Same author

    The experimental analysis of verbal behavior.

    The Analysis of verbal behavior·2012
    Same author

    On the difference between verbal and nonverbal behavior.

    The Analysis of verbal behavior·2012
    Same author

    Rules as classes of verbal behavior: A reply to Glenn.

    The Analysis of verbal behavior·2012
    Same author

    Transfer of function across members of an equivalence class.

    The Analysis of verbal behavior·2012
    Same author

    Nonverbal behavior correlated with the shaped verbal behavior of children.

    The Analysis of verbal behavior·2012

    Area of Science:

    • Behavioral psychology
    • Animal cognition
    • Operant conditioning

    Background:

    • Assessing animal preferences typically involves complex baseline measurements.
    • Concurrent-chain schedules are used to study choice behavior in animals.
    • Traditional methods for determining preference baselines can be time-consuming and variable.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To introduce and validate a novel multiple concurrent-chain schedule procedure for rapidly assessing preference in pigeons.
    • To demonstrate the feasibility of within-session preference determination.
    • To investigate the sensitivity of this new procedure to changes in reinforcement schedules.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized multiple concurrent-chain schedules with distinct visual cues (circles and pluses) for initial-link keys.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Implemented within-session reversals of terminal link assignments (A and B) between schedule components.
  • Measured relative initial-link response rates to infer preference, even with fluctuating baselines.

    • Main Results:

    • The multiple concurrent-chain procedure allowed for observable preference within single sessions, despite baseline variability.
    • Experiment 1 showed rapid preference development with fixed-interval schedules (15-s and 30-s).
    • Experiment 2 demonstrated the procedure's sensitivity to preference for free-choice over forced-choice reinforcement.

    Conclusions:

    • The developed multiple concurrent-chain schedule is an efficient method for assessing animal preferences.
    • This procedure offers a more rapid and reliable alternative to traditional preference assessment techniques.
    • The findings highlight the sensitivity of the method to subtle differences in reinforcement contingencies.