Response-Reinforcer Relationships in Variable Delay and Non-Contingent Schedules of Reinforcement

Abstract

Following 30 sessions of training on a 60-sec. random-interval schedule of reinforcement, 2 pigeons were exposed to a multiple schedule containing non-contingent and variable delay components that provided equal frequencies of reinforcement. The introduction of the multiple schedule resulted in decreased response rare in both components, with a higher rate maintained under the variable delay. Post-reinforcement pauses were systematically increased during the non-contingent schedule, but no systematic increases in pause duration were noted for the variable delay component.