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Choice in a variable environment: effects of unequal reinforcer distributions.
- Source :
-
Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior [J Exp Anal Behav] 2003 Sep; Vol. 80 (2), pp. 187-204. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Six pigeons were trained in a procedure in which sessions included seven unsignaled components, each offering two pecking keys, and each providing a potentially different reinforcer ratio between the two keys. Across conditions, various combinations of reinforcer ratios and reinforcer-magnitude ratios were used to create unequal reinforcer distributions between the two alternatives when averaged across a session. The results extended previous research using the same basic procedure that had included only reinforcer distributions symmetrical around 1:1. Data analyses suggested that the variables controlling choice operated at a number of levels: First, individual reinforcers had local effects on choice; second, sequences of successive reinforcers obtained at the same alternative (continuations) had cumulative effects; and, third, when these sequences themselves occurred with greater frequency, their effects further cumulated. A reinforcer obtained at the other alternative following a sequence of continuations (a discontinuation) had a large effect and apparently reset choice to levels approximating the sessional reinforcer ratio.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0022-5002
- Volume :
- 80
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 14674728
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2003.80-187