Abstract
On an adjusting schedule of reinforcement, a parameter of the schedule is varied as a function of some characteristic of the animal's performance. In Experiment I, the fixed-ratio response requirement was varied as a function of the time that elapsed before the animal started responding in each fixed-ratio (initial pause). When initial pauses were shorter than a specified duration, the response requirement was increased; when they were longer than the specified duration, the response requirement was decreased. Specified durations of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 15 min were studied. The average response requirement maintained by each monkey was directly related to the length of the specified duration of initial pause. In Experiment II, the fixed-ratio response requirement was constant, but reinforcement occurred only when the initial pause was longer than a specified duration. The average durations of initial pauses were directly related to the length of the specified duration and to the response requirement. Meprobamate consistently decreased the average durations of initial pauses.
Full text
PDFSelected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- FINDLEY J. D. An experimental outline for building and exploring multi-operant behavior repertoires. J Exp Anal Behav. 1962 Jan;5(Suppl):113–166. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1962.5-s113. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- GILL C. A., FRY W., KELLEHER R. T. Sound-resistant housing for experimental chambers. J Exp Anal Behav. 1962 Jan;5:32–32. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1962.5-32. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- KELLEHER R. T., FRY W., DEEGAN J., COOK L. Effects of meprobamate on operant behavior in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1961 Aug;133:271–280. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- LINDSLEY O. R. Operant behavior during sleep: a measure of depth of sleep. Science. 1957 Dec 20;126(3286):1290–1291. doi: 10.1126/science.126.3286.1290. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- STEIN L., RAY O. S. Brain stimulation reward "thresholds" self-determined in rat. Psychopharmacologia. 1960 Feb 12;1:251–256. doi: 10.1007/BF00402746. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- STEIN L., RAY O. S. Self-regulation of brain-stimulating current intensity in the rat. Science. 1959 Sep 4;130(3375):570–572. doi: 10.1126/science.130.3375.570. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Skinner B. F., Morse W. H. Sustained performance during very long experimental sessions. J Exp Anal Behav. 1958 Aug;1(3):235–244. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1958.1-235. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WEISS B., LATIES V. G. Titration behavior on various fractional escape programs. J Exp Anal Behav. 1959 Jul;2:227–248. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1959.2-227. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]