The relationship between value and temporal context is an empirical question: a reply to Fantino (2000).
E. Fantino (2000) argued that R. C. Grace and H. I. Savastano's (2000) experiments fail to elucidate the relationship between stimulus value and temporal context. His reasoning is that predictions for R. C. Grace and H. I. Savastano's probe tests based on delay-reduction theory (DRT) and the contextual choice model (CCM) are indistinguishable. However, his method of applying DRT to the probes ensures that temporal context will have no effect on which stimulus is preferred, contrary to the core principle of that theory. The only basis for differential responding in the probes is baseline training, and R. C. Grace and H. I. Savastano's data clearly show that the terminal-link schedules, independent of temporal context, control choice in the probes, as predicted by CCM.
Grace
R C
RC
Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. r.grace@psyc.canterbury.ac.nz
Savastano
H I
HI
D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D005544:Forecasting; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D013997:Time Factors