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Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior logoLink to Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
. 1976 Sep;26(2):165–180. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1976.26-165

Clock control of human performance on avoidance and fixed-interval schedules1

Alan Baron, Mark Galizio
PMCID: PMC1333503  PMID: 16811938

Abstract

The avoidance and fixed-interval performances of human subjects were studied in two experiments. Addition of time-correlated stimuli (added clock) improved behavioral efficiency, since response rates decreased without decreases in reinforcement rates. Response-dependent display of the clock maintained a second, observing response and reductions in clock duration weakened such observing behavior. Generally, the reinforcing properties of the clock were more apparent with the avoidance than with the fixed-interval schedule, a finding attributed to temporal cues already provided by delivery of the fixed-interval reinforcers. Reduced rates of the main response when the clock was dependent on an observing response were more than offset by rates of the observing response in the majority of subjects. Thus, the results do not support an interpretation of the reinforcing properties of added clocks simply in terms of work reduction.

Keywords: clock, observing behavior, information, fixed-interval schedules, avoidance schedules, adult humans

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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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