Long-term effects of suppressing the preratio pause

Derenne, Adam; Richardson, Joseph V.; Baron, Alan

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2005.11.011

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Figure 5 shows how pausing varied on a ratio-by-ratio basis within sessions. The figure does not show the mean pause, as was reported in Figures 1 and 2, but rather the geometric mean of pauses, an alternative measure of central tendency that we have used in earlier studies (Derenne & Baron, 2002; Derenne, Richardson, & Baron, 2006). The geometric mean is well suited as a measure of central tendency in pausing because it is sensitive to the skew of the distribution (unlike the median) but it is less influenced by extreme values (unlike the mean; cf.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first data set was obtained with a group of rats that were trained under FR schedules using a procedure similar to that which we have reported elsewhere (Derenne & Baron, 2002; Derenne, Richardson, & Baron, 2006). In this case, once steady-state behavior was achieved, a series of molecular analyses were performed to characterize the nature of within-session changes in responding.…”

Section: Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Within-session changes in the preratio pause on fixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement.

Derenne

Flannery

2007

The Behavior Analyst Today

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Performances under fixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement are characterized by a "post-reinforcement" or "preratio" pause that precedes responding for the reinforcer. This paper summarizes views on the origins of pausing and presents a series of molecular analyses that shed new light on the conditions under which pausing occurs. Among the findings are that pausing is not limited to the delay before the first response of the ratio and that pause durations increase over time (in some cases more than doubling across a 40-ratio session). Similar findings were made also with variable-ratio schedules. The results are consistent with the view that pausing is a byproduct of a competition between the scheduled reinforcer and other sources of behavioral control.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Within-session changes in the preratio pause on fixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement.

Derenne

Flannery

2007

The Behavior Analyst Today

Self Cite

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“…Williams & Shull, 1982). Furthermore, even after the additional con-tingencies are removed, subjects may continue to pause less than they did before the procedure started, suggesting that forced exposure to a more efficient response pattern may sensitize subjects to overall reinforcement rates (Derenne et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Howell, Watson, Powell, & Buro, 2006;Senécal, Lavoie, & Koestner, 1997;Solomon & Rothblum, 1984). The relation between pausing and procrastination has received some degree of recognition in past publications (Derenne, Richardson, & Baron, 2006;Shull & Lawrence, 1998), but serious efforts to model procrastination in ratio-schedule terms remain to be attempted.…”

Section: Behavioristic Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Williams & Shull, 1982), or when timeout punishment is imposed as soon as the pause exceeds some criterion duration (Derenne & Baron, 2001). There is even some evidence that reductions in pausing can remain long after punishment is withdrawn (Derenne et al, 2006). Results from the animal laboratory using time-out punishment are encouraging insofar as they show ways to reduce procrastination-like behavior.…”

Section: Applied Analysis Of Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

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What 50 years of research tell us about pausing under ratio schedules of reinforcement

2008

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Textbooks in learning and behavior commonly describe performance on fixed-ratio schedules as "break and run," indicating that after reinforcement subjects typically pause and then respond quickly to the next reinforcement. Performance on variable-ratio schedules, on the other hand, is described as steady and fast, with few long pauses. Beginning with Ferster and Skinner's magnum opus, Schedules of Reinforcement (1957), the literature on pausing under ratio schedules has identified the influences on pausing of numerous important variables, in particular ratio size and reinforcement magnitude. As a result, some previously held assumptions have been called into question. For example, research has shown that the length of the pause is controlled not only by the preceding ratio, as Ferster and Skinner and others had assumed (and as implied by the phrase postreinforcement pause), but by the upcoming ratio as well. Similarly, despite the commonly held belief that ratio pausing is unique to the fixed-ratio schedule, there is evidence that pausing also occurs under variable-ratio schedules. If such widely held beliefs are incorrect, then what about other assumptions? This article selectively examines the literature on pausing under ratio schedules over the past 50 years and concludes that although there may indeed be some common patterns, there are also inconsistencies that await future resolution. Several accounts of pausing under ratio schedules are discussed along with the implications of the literature for human performances, most notably the behaviors termed procrastination.

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Long-term effects of suppressing the preratio pause

Cited by 2 publications

References 28 publications

Within-session changes in the preratio pause on fixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement.

Within-session changes in the preratio pause on fixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement.

What 50 years of research tell us about pausing under ratio schedules of reinforcement

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