Acquisition of preference in concurrent chains: comparing linear-operator and memory-representational models.
Two experiments were conducted to test predictions of 2 models for acquisition of preference in concurrent chains. Pigeons were trained with pairs of fixed-interval and variable-interval terminal-link schedules in a successive-reversal design. Results showed that acquisition rate was faster when fixed-interval schedules preceded and when variable-interval schedules followed the reversal and was approximately constant when the same pair of schedules was used. These results were predicted by both linear-operator and memory-representational models. However, only the linear-operator model predicted effects of schedule duration. Overall, these results demonstrated that a simple linear-operator model can account for the major features of preference acquisition in concurrent chains and suggest that choice in transition and steady state may provide convergent validation of a single delay-discounting function.
Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. r.grace@psyc.canterbury.ac.nz
Randolph C
RC
Grace
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002755:Choice Behavior; D010856:Columbidae; D007858:Learning; D008568:Memory; D008954:Models, Biological; D011897:Random Allocation; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology