Term
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Definition
| From a behavioral view, choice is the distribution of operant behavior among alternative sources of reinforcement. |
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Term
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Definition
| When several schedules of reinforcement are available concurrently, one alternative may be chosen more frequently than others. When this occurs, we say that the organism shows a preference for that alternative. |
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Term
| Concurrent Schedule of Reinforcement |
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Definition
| Two or more schedules of reinforcement that are simultaneously available. Each alternative is associated with a separate schedule of reinforcement, and the organism is free to distribute behavior to the schedules. |
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Term
| Concurrent Ratio Schedule |
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Definition
| Results in exclusive responding to the alternative with the highest rate of payoff, these schedules are seldom used to study choice. - Ratio schedules produce exclusive preference. |
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Term
| Concurrent Interval Schedule |
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Definition
Must be used to study the distribution of behavior regarding the choice paradigm.
Interval Schedules are said to be independent of one another when they are presented concurrently. This is because responding on one alternative does not affect the rate of reinforcement programmed for the other schedule. |
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Term
| Concurrent Variable Interval Schedules |
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Definition
The time between each programmed reinforcer changes and the average time to reinforcement defines the specific schedule.
Operant behavior maintained by concurrent VI VI schedules is sensitive to the rate of reinforcement on each alternative.
Typically used to study choice. |
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Term
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Definition
| On a concurrent schedule, a changeover is a response that an organism emits when it switches from one alternative to another. |
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Term
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Definition
COD - A control procedure that is used to stop rapid switching between alternatives on concurrent schedules of reinforcement. The COD contingency stipulates that responses do not have an effect immediately following a change from one schedule to another. After switching to a new alternative, a brief time is required before a response is reinforced.
FOR EXAMPLE:
If an organism has just changed to an alternative schedule that is ready to deliver reinforcement, there is a brief delay before a response is effective. As soon as the delay has elapsed, a response is reinforced. The COD contingency operates in both directions whenever a change is made from one alternative to another. |
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Term
| Basic Paradigm for Investigating Choice and Preference |
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Definition
1. Arrange two or more concurrently available schedules of reinforcement
2. Program interval schedules on each alternative.
3. Use variable - rather than fixed interval schedules.
4.Require a COD in order to stop frequent alteration between or among the schedules. |
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Term
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Definition
| 1958 An experimental method used to present concurrent schedules in the operant laboratory. Separate schedules are programmed on a single key, and the organism may switch schedules (and associate sD's) by making a response on a changeover key. |
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Term
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Definition
| Sunhara, Pierce (1961) - On a concurrent schedule of reinforcement, the alternative schedules are presented on separate response keys. |
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Term
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Definition
| Herrnstein (1961) - When two or more concurrent interval schedules are available, the relative rate of response matches (or equal) the relative rate of reinforcement. More generally, the matching law states that the distribution of behavior between (or among) alternative sources of reinforcement is equal to the distribution of reinforcement for these alternatives. |
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Term
| Relative Rate of Response |
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Definition
| (dependent variable) - When two or more sources of reinforcement are available (as on a concurrent schedule), the relative rate of response refers to the rate of response on one alternative divided by the sum of the response rates on all alternatives. Relative rate of response is a measure of the distribution of behavior between or among alternative sources or reinforcement. |
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Term
| Relative Rate of Reinforcement |
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Definition
| (independent variable) - When two or more sources of reinforcement are available (as on a concurrent schedule), the relative rate of reinforcement refers to the rate of reinforcement delivered on one alternative deivided by the sum of the rates of reinforcement from all sources of reinforcement. Relative rate of reinforcement is a measure of the distribution of reinforcement between or another alternatives. |
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Term
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Definition
| Relative rate of response matches (or equals) relative rate of reinforcement. |
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Term
| Quantitative Law of Effect |
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Definition
| This law states that the absolute rate of response on a schedule of reinforcement is a hyperbolic function of rate of reinforcement on the schedule relative to the total rate of reinforcement ( both scheduled and extraneous reinforcement). That is, as the rate of reinforcement on the schedule increases, the rate of response also rises, but eventually further increases in the rate of reinforcement produce less and less of an increase in the rate of response (hyperbolic). Also, the rise in rate of response with increasing rate of reinforcement is modified by extraneous sources of reinforcement. |
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Term
| Extraneous Sources of Reinforcement |
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Definition
All non programmed sources of reinforcement that regulate alternative behavior - reducing the control of behavior on a specified schedule of reinforcement. Extraneous sources of reinforcement include any unknown contingencies that support the behavior of the organism.
FOR EXAMPLE:
A rat that is pressing a lever for food on a particular schedule of reinforcement could receive extraneous reinforcement for scratching, sniffing, and numerous other behaviors. The rate of response for food will be a function of the schedule of correct solutions as well as extraneous reinforcement for other behavior from classmates or teachers, etc. |
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