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. 1982 Mar;37(2):281–293. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.37-281

Positive and negative contrast as a function of component duration for key pecking and treadle pressing

Frances K McSweeney
PMCID: PMC1333141  PMID: 16812269

Abstract

Pigeons responded on several multiple schedules for food reinforcers. The duration of the components varied from four seconds to 16 minutes. The absolute size of positive (Experiment 1) and negative (Experiment 2) behavioral contrast varied inversely with component duration when key pecks produced the reinforcers. The absolute size of negative contrast varied directly with component duration, when treadle presses produced the reinforcers (Experiment 3). These results conform to theories that suggest that positive and negative contrast are symmetrical when pigeons peck keys. They also conform to theories that suggest that the same principles do not govern contrast when pigeons peck keys as when they press treadles. Finally, the results support the measurement of behavioral contrast by the differences between baseline rates of responding and the rates emitted when contrast is present.

Keywords: behavioral contrast, component duration, multiple schedule, variable interval schedule, additive theories, key peck, treadle press, pigeons

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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