Ply durations in a multiple punishment schedule

Abstract

A parametric experiment was performed to test how long behavioral deceleration could be maintained in one ply of a multiple punishment schedule. The results indicated that the duration of plys could be increased up to alternate days of two hour sessions before complete recovery of pre-punishment rates occurred. Functional differences between punishment programmed alone and in a multiple schedule were systematically replicated.When differential punishment contingencies are programmed in a multiple schedule, different effects occur as compared to each contingency alone (DeArmond, 1966). More specifically, when punishment of each response is programmed as one ply of a multiple fixed-ratio schedule and plUlishment of the first response of each ratio in the other ply, complete suppression of responding occurs in the ply where continuous punishment is delivered. In the data reported by DeArmond (1966) the plys of the multiple schedule alternated every 2 min. The present study assessed the degree of behavioral suppression as a function of increased durations in the alternating plys ofamultiple punishment schedule. MethodThree White Carneaux pigeons were used as Ss. Each was maintained at 80% of its ad lib feeding weight. Each had an experimental history of fixed-ratio reinforcement and punishment schedules similar to those of the present study.The experimental chamber was a Lehigh Valley 1519C pigeon chamber. Mixed grain served as the reinforcer throughout the experiment and was presented for a constant duration per reinforcer. House-light and key light illumination were present except for the period of time during which reinforcers were available. A relay click provided responsefeedbackfollowingeach peck of the response key.Punishment was a 60 cycleac shock delivered through 10,000 ohms in series with the bird. Using a procedure developed by Azrin (1959), the shock was delivered through electrodes implanted arolUld the pubis bone of the pigeon. Intensity of the shock was regulated by a variac and measured by means of a voltmeter. All electrical manipulations were designed by Lehigh Valley and Grason-Stadler Electronics Companies.A multi-element baseline of responding was established using a variable-interval schedule of 2 min. A reinforcer was delivered on the average of every 2 min. During baseline conditions, red and green key lights were alternated every 15 min. Each experimental session was 2 hr. in length. Baseline conditions Psycbon. Sci .• 1966. Vol. 6 (7) DIANE D. EDWARDS AND GAIL A. DART UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT KANSAS CITYwere maintained lUltil a stability criterion of not more than 5% deviation in rate of response over six consecutive days was met (Sidman, 1960).When stable baseline responding had been established, two plUlishment contingenCies were introduced, one lUlder each ply of the multiple schedule. The different key colors now served as discriminative stimuli for the punishment contingency present in each ply. Continuous punishment (shock contingent on each response) was introduced in one ply while...

Manipulations of intensity of electric shock in a multiple punishment schedule

“…The specific behavioral effects include complete suppression during FR 1 electric shock and little suppression during first response electric shock. Increasing the duration of each ply of the multiple schedule has little effect on the degree of suppression (Edwards & Dart, 1966). The present study assessed the effect of increasing shock intensity in the FR 50 shock schedule on suppression in the FR 1 shock schedule.…”