Effects of interfood interval on discrete-trial fixed-time schedules

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
William Paul Fifer (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Aaron J. Brownstein

Abstract: The typical pattern of responding generated by a fixed interval schedule of reinforcement consists of a nost reinforcement pause followed by a period of positively accelerated responding. This pattern is consistent with a temporal discrimination interpretation of FI performance. Several lines of evidence suggest that the temporal patterning on fixed interval schedules is not controlled so much by the absolute duration of the interval, as by the relative time elapsed in the interreinforcement interval (Dews, 1969; Jenkins, 1970; Shull & Brownstein, 1975; Staddon, 1972). Control by relative time is suggested by the fact that the pattern of responding remains generally unaffected by changes in absolute time across a wide variety of interval durations when the response measure is plotted as a function of relative elapsed time (Dews, 1970; Schneider, 1969; Shull, 1971). Various discrete trial procedures have been used to analyze the temporal control of responding on FI schedules. Such procedures offer the advantage of allowing the investigator to more accurately specify the number and spacing of responses in the interreinforcement interval.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 1977
Subjects
Wild birds as laboratory animals
Reinforcement (Psychology)

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