Number of responses as a stimulus in fixed interval and fixed ratio schedules.

Abstract

A psychophysical technique was used to distinguish between time and number of responses as stimuli for discriminating between 2 fixed ratio or 2 fixed interval schedules. Reinforcement of a choice response in the 2nd component of a behavioral chain was contingent upon discriminating which schedule occurred in the 1st component. Run time was not related to discrimination of the 2 ratios, but number of responses was related to discrimination of the 2 intervals. Moreover, when number of responses per interval was systematically reduced by delaying the onset of a stimulus associated with reinforcement, number of responses predicted choice response better than length of interval or length of stimulus.