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Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior logoLink to Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
. 1986 Jan;45(1):33–45. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1986.45-33

Preference for multiple versus mixed schedules of reinforcement

Brent Alsop, Michael Davison
PMCID: PMC1348209  PMID: 16812442

Abstract

Five pigeons were trained in a concurrent-chain procedure. In the initial links, equal nonindependent variable-interval schedules were available concurrently on two keys. Completing the schedule on either key led to exclusive presentation of one of two further variable-interval schedules for a fixed period of time. During these terminal links, as many reinforcers as were scheduled could be obtained. If the response producing this terminal link occurred on one key, differential stimuli signaled which variable-interval schedule had been produced. If the response producing the terminal link occurred on the other key, no such differential stimuli were available. Once the fixed period of time elapsed, the initial links were reinstated. In Experiment 1, the period of time for which the terminal links were available was always 10 s and the absolute duration of the initial links was varied. Subjects preferred the alternative leading to the multiple schedule when the initial-link duration was short, but preferred the alternative leading to the mixed schedule when the initial-link durations were longer. In Experiment 2, both the initial-link duration and the duration of the terminal links were varied. The effect of initial-link duration was identical to that in Experiment 1 and there was no systematic effect of varying the terminal-link duration.

Keywords: concurrent chain, multiple schedule, mixed schedule, preference, key peck, pigeon

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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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