title: The structure of random ratio responding in humans.
abstract: Four experiments explored the rate and structure of human responding on random ratio (RR) schedules of reinforcement, using 3 different methods of analysis. All experiments demonstrated that responding on RR schedules was higher with intermediate ratio values-rates being higher on an RR-30 schedule than on either a RR-10 or RR-60 schedule. All experiments identified 2 distinct types of responding generated by RR schedules: "response-initiation" responding and "within-burst" responding. In contrast to overall rates, response-initiation responding was greatest on RR-10 schedules, and less pronounced as the ratio value increased, but response rates did not vary greatly within the burst (being higher on longer ratio schedules when there was a difference). These findings are consistent with previously obtained data from nonhumans, and suggest human schedule performance should be considered as a joint product of 2 different aspects of responding: response-initiation responding which is sensitive to rates of reinforcement; and within-burst responding which is less sensitive to the molar characteristics of the schedule in operation. The presence of 2 distinct forms of responding may require reinterpretation of many human schedule-controlled phenomena that rely on assumptions about the similarity of all responses to one another.
authors: Swansea University.
authors: Phil
authors: P
authors: Reed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D055815:Young Adult