Does increasing absolute conditioned reinforcement rate improve sensitivity to relative conditioned reinforcement rate?
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2025
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated several procedural modifications that improve the sensitivity of human behavior to relative rates of conditioned reinforcement or S+ production. Denser rates of reinforcement have proved useful in related human operant research, but the influence of denser rates of S+ production has yet to be evaluated. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate how the absolute S+ production rate influenced sensitivity to relative S+ production rate. Thirty undergraduate students were randomly assigned to three groups for which the absolute rate of S+ production varied but the programmed relative rate of S+ production was held constant across groups. Results similar to those of previous research were obtained with many participants; however, the absolute rate of S+ production exerted no systematic effect on sensitivity or the quality of fits of the generalized matching equation. Exploratory analyses suggest that methods ensuring steady-state responding and improving the predictive value of S+ are important directions for future research.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
First Page
280
Last Page
296
Recommended Citation
Morris, S., & Blakemore, E. (2025). Does increasing absolute conditioned reinforcement rate improve sensitivity to relative conditioned reinforcement rate?. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 123 (2), 280-296. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.4242