Pigeon responding in fixed-interval and response-initiated fixed-interval schedules

Author(s)
Fox, Adam E
Kyonka, Elizabeth
Publication Date
2013
Abstract
In fixed-interval (FI) and response-initiated fixed-interval (RIFI) schedules of reinforcement, a response is required after an interval has elapsed for delivery of reinforcement. In RIFI schedules, a response is required to initiate each interval as well. The objective of this experiment was a systematic comparison of performance in the two schedule types over a range of interval durations. Four pigeons were exposed to FI and RIFI schedules of 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 s. Interfood intervals were longer and more variable in RIFI than corresponding FI schedules. In addition, response rates early in the RIFI schedules were higher than in corresponding FI schedules. However, the distribution of first-response latencies, mean breakpoints, and normalized response gradients suggest that temporal discrimination was equivalent in the two schedules.
Citation
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 100(2), p. 187-197
ISSN
1938-3711
0022-5002
Link
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc
Title
Pigeon responding in fixed-interval and response-initiated fixed-interval schedules
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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