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. 1968 Sep;11(5):609–616. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1968.11-609

Fixed-ratio punishment by timeout of concurrent variable-interval behavior1

John R Thomas
PMCID: PMC1338535  PMID: 5722426

Abstract

Pigeons' responding was maintained by two concurrently available variable-interval reinforcement schedules. A fixed-ratio punishment schedule of timeout periods from the concurrent reinforcement schedules was arranged for responding during one of the variable-interval schedules. The greater the probability of a timeout after a response on the punished variable-interval schedule (the smaller the fixed ratio that produced timeout), the greater the decline in the relative punished response rates. Relative reinforcement rates remained invariant when relative response rates declined. Both behavioral contrast and induction effects were observed on the unpunished variable-interval schedule as a function of timeout punishment of the other schedule.

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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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