The experimental analysis of variation in a human operant.
Item
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Title
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The experimental analysis of variation in a human operant.
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Identifier
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AAI9000038
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identifier
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9000038
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Creator
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Korber, Edward John.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Robert N. Lanson
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Date
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1989
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Experimental | Psychology, General | Psychology, Psychobiology
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Abstract
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Several studies demonstrating systematic effects of reinforcement on response indicies other than rate of responding have been reported. None relate these effects, in the schedule control of humans and non-humans, to the covariation of the interdependent behavioral indicies. Our understanding of how reinforcement contingencies control aspects of behavior beyond that required for reinforcement and the adequacy of using a single index of movement to predict the value and direction of trend in other measures would be enhanced by such information. Knowledge of these relations would also contribute to an empirical based resolution of discrepant results in the literature. This investigation was undertaken to explore these relations and the manner in which they expand understanding of intermittent reinforcement and schedule control of behavior.;A within-subject multiple schedule design assessed concurrent changes in schedule effects on central tendency and variance measures, of distance traveled across the surface of a graphics tablet in making a response, the average speed per response and the total time of the response, in four human subjects. Each subject was exposed to manipulation of the minimal interreinforcement interval given a response (Sessions 1 to 10/T = 15 secs., 30 secs., 60 secs., 120 secs., 240 secs.) and the probability of reinforcement delivery for each response (sessions 11 to 20/P = 1,.5,.25,.125,.065). The T and P values selected replicate, with fixed interval, and extend, with random interval, the range of schedule values and types explored with human and non-human subjects.;The results of the study indicated that (1) response subclass indices were adventitiously sensitive to and covaried with the manipulation of minimal interreinforcer interval and probability of reinforcer even when rate of responding did not (2) the effect of reinforcement is such that its production of adventitious control, in a unique fashion from subject to subject over various dimensional properties of subjects' actions, allowed for covariation of these measures in a manner which accounted for apparent instances of insensitivity of the rate index and (3) the variance measures showed systematic proportional increase with increasing reinforcer intermittency.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
