THE EFFECT OF MULTIPLE SΔ PERIODS ON RESPONDING ON A FIXED‐INTERVAL SCHEDULE: III. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN PATTERN OF INTERRUPTIONS, PARAMETERS AND STIMULI1

Abstract

Pigeons responding under fixed-interval schedules of reinforcement were interrupted by SΔ periods during the course of the intervals. Whether intervals were interrupted by 1, 2, or 5 SΔ periods, the general scalloped pattern of FI responding persisted. Parameter values up to 27% hr for the FI and 2¾ hr for the individual SΔ interruptions were studied. The results further weaken the hypothesis that the FI pattern of responding depends crucially on control of responding by continuously chained mediating behavior.