Choice between single and multiple delayed reinforcers

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
J E Mazur

Abstract

Pigeons chose between alternatives that differed in the number of reinforcers and in the delay to each reinforcer. A peck on a red key produced the same consequences on every trial within a condition, but between conditions the number of reinforcers varied from one to three and the reinforcer delays varied between 5 s and 30 s. A peck on a green key produced a delay of adjustable duration and then a single reinforcer. The green-key delay was increased or decreased many times per session, depending on a subject's previous choices, which permitted estimation of an indifference point, or a delay at which a subject chose each alternative about equally often. The indifference points decreased systematically with more red-key reinforcers and with shorter red-key delays. The results did not support the suggestion of Moore (1979) that multiple delayed reinforcers have no effect on preference unless they are closely grouped. The results were well described in quantitative detail by a simple model stating that each of a series of reinforcers increases preference, but that a reinforcer's effect is inversely related to its delay. The success of this model, which considers only delay of reinforcement, suggested that the overall rate of rein...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 9, 2006·Addiction Biology·Carla Sanchis-Segura, Rainer Spanagel
Oct 9, 2007·Learning & Behavior·James E Mazur
Jan 8, 2004·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Animal Behavior Processes·Heather L PetersDavid N Harper
Jun 30, 2016·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·Todd L McKerchar, James E Mazur
Nov 21, 2015·Scientific Reports·Matthew A J AppsMasud Husain
Apr 20, 2006·Behavioural Processes·Kris N Kirby
Jul 23, 1999·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·H C Breiter, B R Rosen
May 1, 2019·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·Todd L McKerchar, James E Mazur
Mar 6, 2004·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Forest BakerWarren K Bickel
Dec 1, 1994·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·B A Williams
Aug 2, 2012·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·Leonardo F Andrade, Timothy D Hackenberg
Apr 15, 2005·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·Josele Abreu-RodriguesRicardo A Matos
Apr 15, 2005·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·Gregory J MaddenRyan R Rowe
Jan 1, 1994·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·J E Mazur
Mar 1, 1995·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·J E Mazur
Apr 17, 2003·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·George Ainslie, John R Monterosso
Oct 12, 2000·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·R C Grace, J A Nevin
Oct 2, 2009·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·James E Mazur, Dawn R Biondi
Aug 3, 2010·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·Carla H Lagorio, Timothy D Hackenberg
Jan 1, 1988·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·J E Mazur
Mar 1, 1990·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·R L ShullJ A Sharp
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Mar 1, 1988·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·F Van HaarenN E Van De Poll
Jan 16, 2013·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·Jeffrey S SteinGregory J Madden
Jul 1, 1987·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·R DunnP Royalty
Aug 28, 2020·The Behavioral and Brain Sciences·George Ainslie
Oct 28, 2021·Journal of Gerontological Nursing·Carissa van den Berk-ClarkJeffrey F Scherrer

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