Concurrent schedules: quantifying the aversiveness of noise

Article Abstract:

An experiment studied how hens working under independent multiple concurrent variable-interval schedules would respond to an overlaid aversive noise which was activated by the first peck on a key and which remained on until a response was made on the other key. The activating key was varied over different conditions. Results showed that there was a bias in the animals' behavior away from the sound independently of the schedule in effect. This bias is quantifiable with the help of a revised version of the generalized matching law. During the changeover delays, behavior was not influenced by the existence of the noise or reinforcement-rate changes.

Observations, Laboratory animals, Noise, Noise (Sound), Chickens as laboratory animals

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Response form, force and number: effects on concurrent-schedule performance

Article Abstract:

A study was conducted on animal response selection wherein hens were observed while the fixed-ratio 'key-peck' requirement and the required response 'door-push' force were manipulated separately. Response force and number variations had different effects on concurrent key-peck door-push response. Fixed-ratio schedule variations led to predictable biases in time and response allocation without significant effect on reinforcement rate. On the other hand, required response force variations combined with variations in relative reinforcement frequency to influence response selection.

Response consistency

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Concurrent-schedule performance in dairy cows: persistent undermatching

Article Abstract:

Two experiments examined the performance of dairy cows under concurrent variable-interval (VI) schedules of food delivery using the generalized matching equation. Results of the studies revealed significant undermatching, occurring regardless of whether the alternative VI schedules provided the same or different foods, whether or not time spent in other activities was subtracted from sum of session time, and whether the changeover delay was two, three or five seconds.

Animal feeding and feeds, Cows (Cattle), Cows

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