Abstract
Four pigeons were given a choice between two sequences of fixed-ratio schedules. The second fixed ratio was a fixed-ratio 5 followed by 2-s access to grain in one sequence and a fixed-ratio 45 followed by 8-s access to grain in the alternative. In Phase 1, the initial fixed-ratio schedules of each sequence, which were always equal, varied from fixed-ratio 1 to fixed-ratio 50. At each initial fixed-ratio value, 3-s access to grain and a 0.25-s hopper flash were programmed. When the initial fixed ratio was small, the sequence with the 2-s reinforcer was preferred. Preference switched to the sequence with the 8-s reinforcer when the initial fixed ratio increased. In Phase 2, the effects of a 3-s hopper flash were compared with those of a 0.25-s hopper flash. The results showed that preference for the sequence with the 8-s reinforcer increased with hopper-flash duration. Together, Phase 1 and Phase 2 results show that reinforcer magnitude and ratio size of the second fixed ratio can affect choice, but their relative effects depend on initial fixed-ratio size and reinforcer duration.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
BOEHME, R., BLAKELY, E., & POLING, A. (1986). Runway length as a determinant of self-control in rats. The Psychological Record, 36, 285–288.
DUNCAN, B., & FANTINO, E. (1970). Choice for periodic schedules of reinforcement. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 13, 73–86.
FANTINO, E. (1969). Choice and rate of reinforcement. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 12, 723–730.
GOETERS, S., SCHLINGER, H., & POLING, A. (1989). Choice responding in pigeons exposed to sequences of fixed-ratio schedules: Effects of multiple components. The Psychological Record, 39, 69–78.
GREEN, L., FISHER, E. B., PERLOW, S., & SHERMAN, L. (1981). Preference reversal and self-control: Choice as a function of reward amount and delay. Behaviour Analysis Letters, 1, 43–51.
HALL-JOHNSON, E., & POLING, A. (1984). Preference in pigeons given a choice between sequences of fixed-ratio schedules: Effects of ratio values and duration of food delivery. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 42, 127–135.
HOPSON, S. L. (1975). Discriminability of fixed-ratio schedules for pigeons: Effects of absolute ratio size. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 23, 25–35.
MOORE, J. (1979). Choice and number of reinforcers. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 32, 51–63.
POLING, A., BLAKELY, E., PELLETTIERE, V., & PICKER, M. (1987). Choice between sequences of fixed-ratio schedules: Effects of ratio values and probability of food delivery. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 47, 225–232.
RACHLIN, H., & GREEN, L. (1972). Commitment, choice, and self-control. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 17, 15–22.
WHITE, K. G., & PIPE, M. E. (1987). Sensitivity to reinforcer duration in a self-control procedure. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 48, 235–249.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The reported research was supported by National Institutes of Health Grant NS 20216 and constituted part of the first author’s PhD dissertation.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Blakely, E., Poling, A. Sequences of Fixed-Ratio Schedules: The Relative Effects of Reinforcer Magnitude and Ratio Size in the Second Fixed Ratio. Psychol Rec 41, 133–142 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395099
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395099