Inhibition by Reinforcement: Effects of Reinforcer Magnitude and Timeout on Fixed-Ratio Pausing

1987 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Perone ◽  
Cheryl Lynn Perone ◽  
Alan Baron
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Reinforcer Magnitude

TRANSITIONS FROM RICH-TO-LEAN SCHEDULES INCREASE ATTACK IN A LABORATORY MODEL OF SOCIAL AGGRESSION IN PIGEONS: II. FIXED-INTERVAL SCHEDULES.

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 519-546
Author(s):  
Raymond C. Pitts ◽  
Christine E. Hughes ◽  
Dean C. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Social Aggression ◽  
Fixed Interval ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Reinforcer Magnitude ◽  
Reinforcement Interval ◽  
Two Component ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Lean Conditions

Pigeons key pecked under two-component multiple fixed-interval (FI) schedules. Each component provided a different reinforcer magnitude (small or large), signaled by the color of the key light. Attacks toward a live, protected target pigeon were measured. Large- (rich) and small- (lean) reinforcer components alternated irregularly such that four different interval types (transitions) between the size of the immediately preceding reinforcer and the size of the upcoming reinforcer occurred within each session: lean-to-lean, lean-to-rich, rich-to-lean, and rich-torich transitions. The FI for each component was the same within each phase, but was manipulated across phases. For all pigeons, more attack occurred following the presentations of the larger reinforcer (i.e., during rich-to-lean and rich-to-rich transitions). For 2 of the 3 pigeons, this effect was modulated by the size of the upcoming reinforcer; attack following larger reinforcers was elevated when the upcoming reinforcer was small (i.e., during rich-to-lean transitions). This rich-to-lean effect on attack diminished or disappeared as the length of the FI schedule was increased (i.e., control over attack by the upcoming reinforcer size diminished with increases in the inter-reinforcement interval). For all pigeons and at all FIs, however, postreinforcement pauses were longest during the rich-to-lean transitions. These data (1) are consistent with the notion that postreinforcement periods during intermittent schedules function aversively and, thus, can precipitate aggressive behavior, and (2) suggest that rich-to-lean conditions may be especially aversive. They also indicate, however, that aversive effects of rich-to-lean transitions may differ across fixed-ratio (FR) and FI schedules, and that variables controlling attacking and pausing may not be isomorphic between these different schedule types.

scholarly journals Reinforcer magnitude and demand under fixed-ratio schedules with domestic hens

2014 ◽  
Vol 103 ◽  
pp. 199-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber A. Grant ◽  
T. Mary Foster ◽  
William Temple ◽  
Surrey Jackson ◽  
Jennifer Kinloch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Reinforcer Magnitude

TRANSITIONS FROM RICH-TO-LEAN SCHEDULES INCREASE ATTACK IN A LABORATORY MODEL OF SOCIAL AGGRESSION IN PIGEONS: I. FIXED-RATIO SCHEDULES

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 500-518
Author(s):  
Dean C. Williams ◽  
Yusuke Hayashi ◽  
Adam Brewer ◽  
Kathryn J. Saunders ◽  
Stephen Fowler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Social Aggression ◽  
The Other ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Behavior Patterns ◽  
Reinforcer Magnitude ◽  
Aversive Stimuli ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Rich

Two pigeons key pecked under a two-component multiple fixed-ratio (FR) FR schedule. Each component provided a different reinforcer magnitude (small or large) thatwhich was signaled by the color of the key light. Large- (rich) and small- (lean) reinforcer components randomly alternated to produce four different types of transitions between the size of the immediately preceding reinforcer and the size of the upcoming reinforcer: lean-to-lean, lean-to-rich, rich-to-lean, and rich-to-rich. During probe sessions, a mirror (which was covered during baseline sessions) was uncovered and attack responses toward the mirror were measured, along with the force of individual mirror attacks. The pigeons paused the longest, and attacked most frequently during the rich-to-lean transitions. The pigeons also exhibited some attacksh during lean-to-lean transitions, and pauses were longer during these transitions than during the lean-to-rich and rich-to-rich transitions. Pauses were short and attack infrequent during these last two transition types. In addition, attacks were more forceful during the rich-to-lean transitions thaen during the other transition types. These data are consistent with the view that rich-to-lean transitions function aversively and, as such, generate behavior patterns, including aggression, commonly produced by other aversive stimuli.

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