CONTRAST EFFECTS IN MULTIPLE FIXED‐INTERVAL REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULES

Abstract

Pigeons were exposed to a multiple fixed‐interval one‐minute fixed‐interval three‐minute schedule of reinforcement following training on either a multiple fixed‐interval one‐minute fixed‐interval one‐minute schedule or a multiple fixed‐interval three‐minute fixed‐interval three‐minute schedule. For all birds, large negative local contrast effects developed during the first of four three‐minute intervals in a component; response rate was depressed and postreinforcement pause lengthened in this interval. Positive local contrast effects were evident during the first of 12 one‐minute intervals in a component for five of six birds; at asymptote, the pause was very short and response rate slightly elevated during this interval. Overall positive contrast was generally transient and varied considerably across subjects, while overall negative contrast effects, if they occurred, appeared only after a large number of sessions.