PERFORMANCE IN CONCURRENT FIXED‐INTERVAL SCHEDULES 1

Abstract

Six pigeons were trained on a variety of concurrent fixed‐interval fixed‐interval schedules. Matching between response or time ratios and ratios of obtained numbers of reinforcements was found for eight of 12 schedules studied. Cumulative records showed both typical burst‐and‐break patterns and also atypical response patterns in which response rate was constant between reinforcements on a schedule. Matching occurred only when the same pattern was present on both concurrent schedules. When different response patterns were generated by the two schedules, the pigeons consistently emitted fewer responses to the shorter fixed‐interval than required by matching.