Date of Graduation
2002
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
Committee Chair
Michael Perone
Abstract
Eight rats were exposed to a concurrent-chains procedure. Half of the rats chose between a fixed-interval schedule that required low rates of responding in the paced terminal link and a simple fixed-interval schedule in the unpaced terminal link. The other half chose between a fixed-interval schedule that required high rates of responding and a simple fixed-interval schedule. Interresponse-time criteria were based on the percentiles of a baseline distribution of interresponse times obtained for each rat. The criteria increased in stringency across conditions. Consistent changes in response rates as the result of the interresponse-time criteria were not obtained. Therefore, preference between the paced and unpaced fixed-interval schedules could not be determined. It was concluded the most likely reason that effects of the pacing contingency were not observed is because the criteria were not sufficiently stringent.
Recommended Citation
Wade, Tammy Renee, "Differential reinforcement of fixed-interval interresponse times: Effects on choice." (2002). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 10679.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10679