Behavioral variability as a function of response topography and reinforcement contingency

Abstract

Long-Evans rats were reinforced for generating variable sequences of responses on two operanda. The current sequence of four left and right responses was required to differ from each of the previous five sequences. Variability under this vary schedule was compared with that under a yoke control schedule where reinforcement was independent of the sequences. Three different response topographies were compared: two levers were pressed in one case, two keys pushed in another, and two wires pulled in a third. Both reinforcement contingency (vary vs. yoke) and response topography (leverpress, key push, and wire pull) significantly influenced sequence variability. As is the case for operant dimensions, behavioral variability is jointly controlled by reinforcement contingency and response topography. © 1990 Psychonomic Society, Inc.