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Adjunctive behavior in children on fixed interval food reinforcement schedules
Physiology & Behavior
|April 1, 1982
Summary
This study shows that children exhibit schedule-induced behaviors, like increased movement and drinking, when given M&M candies on fixed interval schedules, similar to animal experiments.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Child Development
- Operant Conditioning
Background:
- Schedule-induced behaviors are well-documented in animal research.
- Understanding these behaviors in children can offer insights into developmental patterns and learning.
- Food reinforcement schedules are common in animal studies but less explored in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of schedule-induced behaviors in young children.
- To determine if fixed interval (FI) schedules with food reinforcers elicit specific behaviors in children.
- To compare these behaviors to baseline conditions.
Main Methods:
- Four female children (4-6 years old) participated.
- Children were exposed to fixed interval (FI) 30-sec and 60-sec schedules.
- M&M candies served as reinforcers, with behavior compared to fixed ratio (FR) 1 baseline.
Main Results:
- All four children showed increased movement under FI schedules compared to baseline.
- Three children exhibited increased drinking behavior.
- Two children displayed increased vocalization.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates schedule-induced behaviors in children using food reinforcement.
- Findings suggest that principles of operant conditioning observed in animals may apply to human children.
- This research highlights the potential for using behavioral principles in child development studies.