MELIORATION AND MAXIMIZATION OF REINFORCEMENT MINUS COSTS OF BEHAVIOR

Abstract

Eight pigeons were exposed to independent concurrent schedules. Concurrent variable-interval 60-second variable-interval 60-second schedules were presented to one group of four subjects. Following baseline training, a limited hold was added to one of the schedules and the duration of the hold was decreased in successive conditions. Concurrent variable-interval 120-second variable-interval 40-second schedules were presented to another group of four subjects. These subjects were first exposed to decreasing durations of a limited hold in the variable-interval 40-second component. After replication of the baseline, a limited hold in the variable-interval 120-second component was decreased in duration. The initial durations of the holds were determined from the subjects' responding in the baseline conditions. A duration was chosen such that approximately 25% of the scheduled reinforcers would be canceled if responding remained unchanged. Approximate matching of time proportions and reinforcement proportions was observed when the limited hold was added to the variable-interval 60-second schedule and when the limited hold was added to the variable-interval 40-second schedule. Time proportions were less extreme than reinforcement proportions when the limited hold operated in a variable-interval 120-second schedule. Overall reinforcement rates tended to decrease with continued training in concurrent schedules with a limited hold. Absolute deviations from time matching also decreased. The results provide evidence against the principle of reinforcement maximization, and support Herrnstein and Vaughan's (1980) melioration hypothesis.