Unit Price and Choice in a Token-Reinforcement Context

Autor/inn/en	Foster, Theresa A.; Hackenberg, Timothy D.
Titel	Unit Price and Choice in a Token-Reinforcement Context
Quelle	In: Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 81 (2004) 1, S.5-25 (21 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0022-5002
Schlagwörter	Token Economy; Positive Reinforcement; Animal Behavior; Animals; Food; Behavioral Science Research; Delay of Gratification; Stimuli + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Token-Programm; Tierverhalten; Animal; Tier; Tiere; Lebensmittel; Anreizsystem
Abstract	Pigeons were exposed to multiple and concurrent second-order schedules of token reinforcement, with stimulus lights serving as token reinforcers. Tokens were produced and exchanged for food according to various fixed-ratio schedules, yielding equal and unequal unit prices (responses per unit food delivery). On one schedule (termed the "standard schedule"), the unit price was held constant across conditions. On a second schedule (the "alternative schedule"), the unit price was either the same or different from the standard. Under conditions with unequal unit prices, near-exclusive preference for the lower unit price was obtained. Under conditions with equal unit prices, the direction and degree of preference depended on ratio size (number of responses per exchange period). When this ratio differed, strong preferences for the smaller ratio were observed. When this ratio was equal, preferences were nearer indifference. Response rates on the multiple schedule were generally consistent with the preference data in showing sensitivity to ratio size. Results are discussed in terms of a unit-price model that includes handling and reinforcer immediacy as additional costs. On the whole, results show that preferences were determined primarily by delay to the exchange period. (Contains 2 tables and 9 figures.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Available from: Indiana University Department of Psychology. Bloomington, IN 47405. Tel: 812-334-0395; Fax: 812-855-4691; e-mail: jeab@indiana.edu; Web site: http://seab.envmed.rochester.edu/jeab/index.html
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10