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Space as a Reinforcer in a Continuous Free-Operant Environment

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Abstract

2 experiments were conducted to assess the reinforcing properties of space. Key pecks were reinforced on several FR schedules of reinforcement by access to a large space from a smaller one. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the bird spent more time in the food box before responding to meet the FR requirement as the FR requirement for access to space increased. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the results of Experiment I were not a function of social reinforcement or changes in the behavior as a result of time in the experiment. The results were interpreted as demonstrating that access to space can act as an effective reinforcer.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The American University, Washington, D. C., 20016, USA

    Thomas L. Creed & C. B. Ferster

Authors
  1. Thomas L. Creed
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  2. C. B. Ferster
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Additional information

The authors thank Mary Jagodzinski for her assistance during the course of the experiment. This research was supported by Grant No. NGR 09-003-015 from the National Aeronautics and Space Agency to the second author.

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Creed, T.L., Ferster, C.B. Space as a Reinforcer in a Continuous Free-Operant Environment. Psychol Rec 22, 161–167 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394076

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