One explanation is that the signal overshadows the response because it is a better predictor of reinforcement. The S-R overshadowing effect does not occur with variable ratio (VR) schedules, however. Tarpy, Lea, and Midgley (1983) explained this fact by suggesting that the signal functions to...
A "Variable" section is included which is paid off on a VR schedule of reinforcement for behaviors which are less discrete and are to be maintained at a steady state, such as being polite to others. Also included is a "General" section, which is to be filled in with behaviors which ...
In general, if an organism behaves randomly with respect to some dimension of the environment, it fails to discriminate among situations that differ only in that dimension, and to the extent that it does discriminate, it behaves systematically. Discrimination usually saves time and energy, because ...
Similarly, sensitivity to token-production ratios increased across successive token deliveries for one of four subjects. Differences between subjects can be explained by the duration of elicited sign tracking of tokens, measured by duration of postreinforcement pausing and direct observation of rats ...
Obtained molar differences in performance are not compatible with the assumption that there is a "general outcome" on concurrent schedules; and explaining these molar differences in performance in terms of the local contingencies of reinforcement is contrary to the assumption that behavior is allocated ...
Since local contrast was weaker and less fre- quent in the constant component, the extent of the variation in absolute response rate as a function of reinforcement ratio (Figure 2) de- creased across subintervals only in the changed component. Behavioral contrast (in the con- stant component) ...
Two groups of rats were trained on fixed interval (FI) schedules of reinforcement of lever-press behavior : Group FI-5 was trained on an FI 5" schedule and Group FI-90 was on an FI 90" schedule. Then all of the rats received an extinction procedure. If the given subject emitted no ...
Increasing time proportions were also found in Experiment 2, which arranged similar conditions, except that reinforcement was provided on a variable-time basis. The time proportions were close to the momentary maximizing prediction in Experiment 2. The results of both experiments can be explained if ...
This finding cannot be predicted or explained by recent theories of behavioral contrast based on autoshaping, and thus questions their sufficiency. We suggest that this local response-rate increase results from the predictable change from high to low density of reinforcement at the end of the fixed...
This finding cannot be predicted or explained by recent theories of behavioral contrast based on autoshaping, and thus questions their sufficiency. We suggest that this local response‐rate increase results from the predictable change from high to low density of reinforcement at the end of the ...