Preference and resistance to change in concurrent variable-interval schedules.
Pigeons were trained on a multiple schedule in which separate concurrent schedules were presented in the two components of the schedule. During one component, concurrent variable-interval 40-sec variable-interval 80-sec schedules operated. In the second component, concurrent variable-interval 40-sec variable-interval 20-sec schedules operated. After stable baseline performance was obtained in both components, extinction probe choice tests were presented to assess preference between the variable-interval 40-sec schedules from the two components. The variable-interval 40-sec schedule paired with the variable-interval 80-sec schedule was preferred over the variable-interval 40-sec schedule paired with the variable-interval 20-sec schedule. The subjects were also exposed to several resistance-to-change manipulations: (1) prefeeding prior to the experimental session, (2) a free-food schedule added to timeout periods separating components, and (3) extinction. The results indicated that preference and resistance to change do not necessarily covary.
Bell
Matthew C
MC
Santa Clara University, Psychology Department, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053, USA. mbell@scu.edu
Williams
Ben A
BA
D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning; D002755:Choice Behavior; D010856:Columbidae; D009042:Motivation; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule