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  • Three mathematical models of choice-the contextual-choice model (R. Grace, 1994), delay-reduction theory (N. Squires & E. Fantino, 1971). and a new model called the hyperbolic value-added model-were compared in their ability to predict the results from a wide variety of experiments with animal subjects. When supplied with 2 or 3 free parameters, all 3 models made fairly accurate predictions for a large set of experiments that used concurrent-chain procedures. One advantage of the hyperbolic value-added model is that it is derived from a simpler model that makes accurate predictions for many experiments using discrete-trial adjusting-delay procedures. Some results favor the hyperbolic value-added model and delay-reduction theory over the contextual-choice model, but more data are needed from choice situations For which the models make distinctly different predictions.

  • The choice responses of four pigeons were examined in 20 periods of transition in a concurrent-chain procedure with variable-interval schedules as initial links and fixed delays to reinforcement as terminal links. In some conditions, the delays to reinforcement were different for the two terminal links, and changes in preference were recorded after the delays for the two response keys were switched. In other conditions, the reinforcer delays were equal for the two keys, but which key delivered 80% of the reinforcers was periodically switched. Choice proportions changed more quickly after a switch in reinforcement percentages chan after a switch in the delays, thereby contradicting the hypothesis that faster changes would occur when the switch in conditions was easier to discriminate. Analyses of response sequences showed that the effects: of individual reinforcers were larger and lasted longer in conditions with changing reinforcement percentages than in conditions with changing terminal-link delays. Rates of change in choice behavior do not appear to be limited by the unpredictability of variable reinforcement schedules, because the changes in behavior were slow and gradual even when there was a large and sudden change in reinforcer delays. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights: reserved.

Last update from database: 3/13/26, 4:15 PM (UTC)

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