Date of Award

1996

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

John Northup

Abstract

This study examined the effect that increased response requirement, or effort, (Study 1) and delay to reinforcement (Study 2) have on reinforcer selection and response allocation. A reinforcer assessment using a token system was conducted within the classroom setting to determine high and low preference stimuli. The independent variable (effort or delay) was systematically manipulated for high preference stimuli. The results for eight participants indicated that increased levels of effort and delay independently influenced reinforcer preference and response allocation. The results revealed highly idiosyncratic responding to the different levels of the independent variables. The findings for increased response requirement are also discussed in behavioral economic terms.

ISBN

9780591289169

Pages

128

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.6341

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