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Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior logoLink to Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
. 1993 Mar;59(2):293–307. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1993.59-293

Short-term and long-term effects of reinforcers on choice

Randy L Buckner, Leonard Green, Joel Myerson
PMCID: PMC1322043  PMID: 16812687

Abstract

The relation between molar and molecular aspects of time allocation was studied in pigeons on concurrent variable-time variable-time schedules of reinforcement. Fifteen-minute reinforcer-free periods were inserted in the middle of every third session. Generalized molar matching of time ratios to reinforcer ratios was observed during concurrent reinforcement. Contrary to melioration theory, preference was unchanged during the reinforcer-free periods as well as in extinction. In addition to this long-term effect of reinforcement, short-term effects were observed: Reinforcers increased the duration of the stays during which they were delivered but had little consistent effect either on the immediately following stay in the same schedule or on the immediately following stay in the alternative schedule. Thus, an orderly effect of reinforcer delivery on molecular aspects of time allocation was observed, but because of its short-term nature, this effect cannot account for the matching observed at the molar level.

Keywords: choice, matching, short-term reinforcer effects, long-term reinforcer effects, concurrent schedules, extinction, stay durations, time allocation, pigeons

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Selected References

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