Behavioral contrast as a function of component duration for leverpressing using a within-session procedure |
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| Authors: | Frances K McSweeney Cam L Melville |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Psychology, Washington State University, 99164-4820, Pullman, WA
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| Abstract: | Ten rats pressed levers for food reinforcers delivered by multiple schedules. Behavioral contrast was measured using a within-session procedure that presented the baseline and contrast schedules within single sessions. The absolute sizes of both positive and negative contrast increased and then decreased as components lengthened. Negative induction occurred when components were very short. These results question theories that predict that the size of contrast will vary inversely with component duration. They support theories that attribute positive and negative contrast to similar theoretical mechanisms. A comparison of the present results with those of past studies indicates that keypecking by pigeons and leverpressing by rats change as different functions of component duration. Treadlepressing by pigeons and leverpressing by rats change as similar functions. These findings challenge general process theories that argue that all responses obey the same behavioral laws. |
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