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Observing behavior during interval schedules.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|July 1, 1966
Summary
Observing behavior in fixed-interval schedules is maintained by stimuli correlated with time. More stimuli reduce the decline in observing behavior before reinforcement, maintaining higher terminal rates.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Operant conditioning
Background:
- Stimuli associated with reinforcement schedules can influence behavior.
- Fixed-interval schedules involve reinforcement after a set time period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of stimuli in maintaining observing behavior under fixed-interval schedules.
- To examine how the number of stimuli affects observing behavior rates.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted using chained fixed-interval schedules.
- Observing responses were recorded in relation to reinforcement delivery.
- The number of observable stimuli was manipulated.
Main Results:
- Stimuli associated with fixed-interval links and time passage maintained observing behavior.
- Observing responses peaked midway between reinforcements and were low just before/after.
- Increased stimuli reduced the pre-reinforcement decline in observing behavior.
Conclusions:
- Stimuli signaling time are crucial for maintaining observing behavior in interval schedules.
- The temporal pattern of observing behavior is sensitive to reinforcement contingencies.
- Enhancing stimulus availability can stabilize observing behavior rates.