Relative preferences for various bivalued ratio schedules

Ahearn, William H.; Hineline, Philip N.; David, Francisco

doi:10.3758/bf03197964

Cited by 32 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although preference for MR over FR schedules has been demonstrated in previous studies (e.g., Ahearn et al, ; Fantino, ; Field et al, ; Meyer et al, ), Mazur () noted several potential problems when applying Equation 1 to ratio schedules. These problems may help to further explain the pattern of indifference we observed in some children during phases containing the MR (5, 7) alternative.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Children's preference for mixed‐ versus fixed‐ratio schedules of reinforcement: A translational study of risky choice

Mullane

Martens

Baxter

et al. 2017

J Exper Analysis Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Laboratory research has shown that when subjects are given a choice between fixed-ratio and bi-valued mixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement, preference typically emerges for the mixed-ratio schedule even with a larger ratio requirement. The current study sought to replicate and extend these findings to children's math problem completion. Using an ABCBC reversal design, four fourth-grade students were given the choice of completing addition problems reinforced on either a fixed-ratio 5 schedule or one of three mixed-ratio schedules; an equivalent mixed-ratio (1, 9) schedule, a mixed-ratio (1, 11) schedule with a 20% larger ratio requirement, and an equally lean mixed-ratio (5, 7) schedule without the small fixed-ratio 1 component. This was followed by a reversal back to the preceding phase in which preference for the mixed-ratio schedule had been observed, and a final reversal back to the mixed-ratio (5, 7) phase. Findings were consistent with previous research in that all children preferred the mixed-ratio (1, 9) schedule over the equivalent fixed-ratio 5 schedule. Preference persisted for the leaner mixed-ratio (1, 11) schedule for three of the four children. Indifference or preference for the fixed-ratio 5 alternative was observed in phases containing the mixed-ratio (5, 7) schedule. These results extend previous research on risky choice to children's math problem completion and highlight the importance of a small ratio component in the emergence of preference for bi-valued mixed-ratio schedules. Implications of these results for arranging reinforcement to increase children's academic responding are discussed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Children's preference for mixed‐ versus fixed‐ratio schedules of reinforcement: A translational study of risky choice

Mullane

Martens

Baxter

et al. 2017

J Exper Analysis Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The observation that variable schedules produces higher and more steady levels of responding than fixed schedules has been long established in the learning literature (e.g., Ferster & Skinner, 1957). It is also well established that given a choice between a variable and FR schedule, a variety of species will prefer the VR over the FR schedule (e.g., Fantino, 1967; Field, Tonneau, Ahearn, & Hineline, 1996; Rider, 1979; Sherman & Thomas, 1968), even when this schedule provides fewer reinforcers or less stimulation (e.g., Ahearn, Hineline, & David, 1992). Such a preference for variability implies an affective and/or motivational response to stimuli encountered or delivered with a higher degree of variability that could facilitate learning and memory.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stimulus contingency and the malleability of species‐typical auditory preferences in Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) hatchlings

Harshaw¹,

Tourgeman²,

Lickliter³

2008

Developmental Psychobiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Precocial avian hatchlings are typically highly social and show strong species-typical preferences for the maternal calls of their own species. The influence of social contingencies on the acquisition of species-specific preferences has, however, largely been neglected. We found that exposing bobwhite (BW) quail chicks to a Japanese quail (JQ) call contingent on their own vocalizations for 5 min was sufficient to eliminate their species-typical preference for the BW maternal call. Yoked, noncontingent exposure had no such effect. The introduction of variability to the contingency, but not a lengthening of the training session, was found to engender even higher preferences for the JQ call. Chicks provided with contingent exposure to the JQ call on a variable ratio schedule showed a significant preference for the JQ over the BW maternal call, whereas chicks provided with equivalent fixed ratio exposure did not. These results highlight the role that social interaction and contingency can play in the acquisition and maintenance of species-specific auditory preferences in precocial avian species.

show abstract

“…Moreover, human and nonhuman subjects choose nondrug reinforcers available under variable schedules more often than fixed schedules that require, on average, the same number of responses or same delay to reinforcer delivery (e.g., Fantino 1967; Field et al 1996; Lagorio and Hackenberg 2010; Locey et al 2009). Choice of a nondrug reinforcer available under a VR schedule occurs even when the average requirement is greater than that of the FR schedule (Ahearn et al 1992; Johnson et al 2011; 2012). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choice between variable and fixed cocaine injections in male rhesus monkeys

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rationale The schedule of drug availability may enhance choice of a drug. In nonhuman subjects, reinforcers are chosen more often when available under variable schedules of reinforcement relative to fixed schedules. Objective To determine whether variable-drug access is an important determinant of cocaine choice by manipulating the schedule, drug dose, and combination of schedule + dose. Method Four male rhesus monkeys chose between cocaine doses (0.025–0.4 mg/kg/injection). In control conditions, the schedule and dose of each drug delivery were fixed. In other conditions, the reinforcement schedule (i.e., variable-ratio schedule), dose of each cocaine delivery, or both were variable on one lever while all aspects on the other lever remained fixed. Results When cocaine dose was equal on average (0.1 mg/kg/injection), 2 of 4 subjects chose cocaine associated with the variable schedule more than the fixed schedule. All subjects chose the variable dose that was equal on average to the fixed dose, and this difference was statistically significant. Three of 4 subjects chose cocaine associated with the variable combination over the fixed option (when the dose was equal on average). During dose-response determinations (when dose on the variable and fixed options were not equal), making the schedule, dose, or both variable generally did not alter cocaine’s potency as a reinforcer. Conclusion While many factors contribute to drug choice, unpredictable drug access is a feature that may be common in the natural environment and could play a key role in the allocation of behavior to drug alternatives by patients with substance-use disorders.

show abstract

Relative preferences for various bivalued ratio schedules

Cited by 32 publications

References 16 publications

Children's preference for mixed‐ versus fixed‐ratio schedules of reinforcement: A translational study of risky choice

Children's preference for mixed‐ versus fixed‐ratio schedules of reinforcement: A translational study of risky choice

Stimulus contingency and the malleability of species‐typical auditory preferences in Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) hatchlings

Choice between variable and fixed cocaine injections in male rhesus monkeys

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About