Abstract
The behavior of individual pigeons on fixed-ratio, variable-ratio, and random-ratio schedules was examined. Within each type of ratio schedule the size of the ratio was varied in an irregular sequence. At various ratio sizes (5, 10, 40, 80) no differences were found among overall response rates (postreinforcement pause plus running response rate) as a function of ratio type. This similarity in overall response rates held despite noticeable differences in the microstructure of performance both within and across subjects; the primary performance difference on the three types of ratio schedules was the relatively longer postreinforcement pause duration on the fixed-ratio schedule. We concluded that the gross temporal characteristics of performance determined by the relative weightings of the postreinforcement pause and running response rate were primarily controlled by the type of ratio schedule (fixed, variable, or random), whereas the overall rate of responding was controlled by the size of the ratio.
Keywords: fixed ratio, variable ratio, random ratio, key peck, pigeons
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- FLESHLER M., HOFFMAN H. S. A progression for generating variable-interval schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1962 Oct;5:529–530. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1962.5-529. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Felton M., Lyon D. O. The post-reinforcement pause. J Exp Anal Behav. 1966 Mar;9(2):131–134. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1966.9-131. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mazur J. E. Steady-state performance on fixed-, mixed-, and random-ratio schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 Mar;39(2):293–307. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.39-293. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Powell R. W. The effect of small sequential changes in fixed-ratio size upon the post-reinforcement pause. J Exp Anal Behav. 1968 Sep;11(5):589–593. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1968.11-589. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Priddle-Higson P. J., Lowe C. F., Harzem P. Aftereffects of reinforcement on variable-ratio schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1976 May;25(3):347–354. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1976.25-347. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- SUBOSKI M. D. COMPARISON OF FIXED AND VARIABLE-RATIO SCHEDULES OF REINFORCEMENT. J Comp Physiol Psychol. 1965 Feb;59:152–154. doi: 10.1037/h0021630. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]