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Related Experiment Videos

Fixed-interval performance and self-control in infants

J C Darcheville1, V Rivière, J H Wearden

  • 1UFR de Psychologie, Université Charles de Gaulle, Lille III, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|September 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Infant behavior on fixed-interval schedules reveals two distinct patterns: pause-sensitive and pause-insensitive. These patterns correlate with self-control choices, with younger infants and pause-sensitive ones favoring self-control.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Operant Conditioning

Background:

  • Understanding infant decision-making and self-control is crucial for developmental psychology.
  • Operant conditioning principles are used to study learning and behavior in infants.
  • Fixed-interval schedules and self-control procedures provide frameworks for assessing behavioral patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate behavioral patterns in infants (3-23 months) under fixed-interval schedules.
  • To examine the relationship between fixed-interval schedule performance and self-control choices in infants.
  • To identify age-related differences in operant responding and delay discounting.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-six infants (3-23 months) were trained on fixed-interval schedules (10-80s) with cartoon reinforcers.

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  • A six-phase self-control procedure assessed choices between immediate, shorter rewards and delayed, longer rewards.
  • Infants' response patterns (postreinforcement pauses, response rates) and choice behaviors were recorded.

    • Main Results:

    • Youngest infants (3-5 months) exhibited long postreinforcement pauses and exclusively made self-controlled choices.
    • Older infants (9-23 months) were categorized as pause-sensitive (similar to younger infants) or pause-insensitive (shorter pauses, higher rates).
    • Pause-sensitive infants consistently made self-controlled choices, while pause-insensitive infants opted for impulsive choices.

    Conclusions:

    • Infant operant behavior on fixed-interval schedules can be categorized into distinct patterns (pause-sensitive vs. pause-insensitive).
    • These behavioral patterns are linked to self-control abilities, with pause-sensitive infants demonstrating greater self-control.
    • Findings suggest developmental changes in response to reinforcement schedules and delayed gratification in early infancy.