Mechanisms Underlying Reinforced Behavioral Variability
Loading...
Date
Authors
Galizio, Ann
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Behavioral variability can be adaptive under certain conditions. While reinforcement typically results in repetitive behavior, it is also possible to reinforce variable behavior, such as when pigeons vary between a number of response sequences (e.g., LRRL, where L and R are left and right keypecks, respectively). The mechanisms underlying reinforced behavioral variability are unclear. Neuringer (1985) proposed that pigeons may be approaching each response within a sequence as a random event. Alternatively, Machado (1997) observed considerable variability in eight-peck sequences under a contingency that required pigeons to changeover, but not necessarily vary, and hypothesized that such variability may be a byproduct of other processes. Three experiments were conducted to explore the generality of these hypotheses. In Experiment 1, pigeons showed higher levels of behavioral variability in four-peck sequences under a contingency directly reinforcing variability than a contingency that provided food for any sequence with one or more changeovers. Experiment 2 replicated these results in a multiple schedule across days design that equated proportion of reinforced sequences. Finally, Experiment 3 replicated these findings with experimentally naïve pigeons across conditions with proportion of reinforced sequences, again, equated. These data limit the generality of Machado’s argument and suggest that organisms can learn under at least some variability contingencies that reinforcers are more likely to follow nonrepetitive behavior.
Description
Keywords
psychology, behavior analysis, pigeon, variability, reinforced behavioral variability, operant variability, behavioral variability, changeover, neuroscience