Use of the blackout in the investigation of temporal discrimination in fixed-interval reinforcement.

Abstract

"Three experiments were reported in which blackouts were used to demonstrate that rate changes in the pecking behavior of pigeons on fixed-interval schedules of reinforcement were under the control of stimuli with temporal properties. Under a 90-sec. fixed-interval schedule, the low rate of responding in the first part of the interval was under the control of the reinforcement, which had an effective duration of 30-sec. or less. Under a 45-min, fixed-interval schedule, the rate of responding in the first part of the interval was under the control of the number of responses emitted during the preceding interval. A blackout following the reinforcement prevented the carry-over of the stimulus from one interval to the next." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)