Preference for delay of shock as a function of its intensity and probability

Abstract

Ss were given 30 trials on which they were required to choose between receiving shock after 0, 2, 5, 10 or 15 sec. The shock ranged in intensity from a very low level on the first trial to one that was very unpleasant on the 30th. Eleven Ss chose immediate shocks almost exclusively throughout the experiment. The choices of the remaining 9 Ss were scattered, but as shock level increased, there was a tendency to shift towards 0 and 2 sec. delays. There were no significant differences in the choice behavior of Ss shocked on every trial and those shocked on only 50% of the trials. © 1966, Psychonomic Press. All rights reserved.