The effect of rate of reinforcement and time in session on preference for variability

McSweeney, Frances K.; Kowal, Benjamin P.; Murphy, Eric S.

doi:10.3758/bf03195985

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…For conditions where the initial link was VI 30s, a monotonic increase in preference was observed for the mixed option across conditions (Figure 2). This result is in agreement with nonhuman studies which found that preference for variability increased as terminal-link schedule values increased (McSweeney, Kowal, & Murphy, 2003; Goldshmidt & Fantino, 2004). …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

The role of context in risky choice

Meyer¹,

Schley²,

Fantino³

2011

Behavioural Processes

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Human choice behavior was assessed in a concurrent-chains schedule, where two equal initial links (IL) each led to a distinct terminal-link (TL). One TL was associated with a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement, while the other was associated with a bi-valued mixed ratio schedule of reinforcement, whose arithmetic mean equaled the Fixed TL schedule. The fixed component (FR50; FR25; FR5) was arranged to be equal to the alternative mixed component in each condition (FR1/99; FR1/49; FR1/9), and choice behavior was measured by proportion of responses to each IL. In addition, the IL duration varied across conditions (VI 30s; VI 15s; FI 1s). Preference for the mixed option was observed with longer durations (e.g. when IL = VI 30s and TL = FR1/99). Participants were relatively indifferent in other conditions, though the results suggested a monotonic increase in preference as either durations or programmed efforts increased. It is concluded that both choice and the conditioned reinforcement value of the mixed option are contextually based, so that the value of a stimulus correlated with an immediate reward (i.e. FR 1) is enhanced the greater the temporal context in which the FR1 is embedded.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

The role of context in risky choice

Meyer¹,

Schley²,

Fantino³

2011

Behavioural Processes

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“…Individual differences might be overcome with larger requirements (e.g., FR and VR 100) as larger average ratio values typically result in more extreme choices with VR versus FR schedules (e.g., Fantino, 1967). Our results in the variable-dose condition were more robust relative to the variable-schedule or combination of schedule + dose condition, and this pattern of results is somewhat different from that of rats and pigeons where choice between variable vs. fixed food amounts is mixed (Lagorio and Hackenberg 2012; McSweeney et al 2003; see Kacelnik and Bateson 1996 for a review). Monkeys may be more sensitive to variability in the dose of a drug than rats and pigeons are to variability in food amounts.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 83%

“…To date, there are no studies examining choice between fixed and variable doses of a drug reinforcer. When choice is between fixed and variable food amounts, results are mixed with different studies showing greater choice of a variable food amount and others showing aversion or indifference (e.g., Bateson and Kacelnik 1995; Essock and Reese 1974; Lagorio and Hackenberg 2012; McSweeney et al 2003; see Kacelnik and Bateson 1996 for a review).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choice between variable and fixed cocaine injections in male rhesus monkeys

et al. 2017

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Rationale The schedule of drug availability may enhance choice of a drug. In nonhuman subjects, reinforcers are chosen more often when available under variable schedules of reinforcement relative to fixed schedules. Objective To determine whether variable-drug access is an important determinant of cocaine choice by manipulating the schedule, drug dose, and combination of schedule + dose. Method Four male rhesus monkeys chose between cocaine doses (0.025–0.4 mg/kg/injection). In control conditions, the schedule and dose of each drug delivery were fixed. In other conditions, the reinforcement schedule (i.e., variable-ratio schedule), dose of each cocaine delivery, or both were variable on one lever while all aspects on the other lever remained fixed. Results When cocaine dose was equal on average (0.1 mg/kg/injection), 2 of 4 subjects chose cocaine associated with the variable schedule more than the fixed schedule. All subjects chose the variable dose that was equal on average to the fixed dose, and this difference was statistically significant. Three of 4 subjects chose cocaine associated with the variable combination over the fixed option (when the dose was equal on average). During dose-response determinations (when dose on the variable and fixed options were not equal), making the schedule, dose, or both variable generally did not alter cocaine’s potency as a reinforcer. Conclusion While many factors contribute to drug choice, unpredictable drug access is a feature that may be common in the natural environment and could play a key role in the allocation of behavior to drug alternatives by patients with substance-use disorders.

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“…Thus, schedules with unpredictable interval durations typically produce higher and more constant rates of responding compared to fixed schedules (Rice, 1988;Lieberman, 1993). Moreover, unpredictable options were preferred over predictable options in a choice situation in several species (Kacelnik and Bateson, 1996;McSweeney et al, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are pigs sensitive to variability in food rewards?

Jonge

Ooms

Kuurman

et al. 2008

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Pigs are non-specialist feeders with high capacities to adapt their diets within wide limits to prevailing and unpredictable conditions. Under husbandry conditions however, pigs are usually fed under extremely predictable conditions, i.e. with highly uniform and standardized diets, ad libitum or at standardized times. Although pigs, in this way, obtain their food with the lowest amount of effort and costs, studies in various different species have shown that animals may prefer to work for food, rather than receiving food for free. In addition, recent studies showed that animals may also be sensitive to risk and variance associated with food sources which may be expressed as a preference for unpredictable over predictable schedules when working for food in an operant task (risk-sensitive foraging). Since feeding is an important aspect of the daily animal husbandry routine which is likely to have a high impact on animal welfare, it is important to know whether (domesticated) pigs also prefer to work for unpredictable as opposed to predictable feeding schedules under husbandry conditions. For that purpose, nine gilts (Finish Landrace Â York) were trained to respond in a two-choice operant task. In Test 1, pigs could choose between response options associated with either a FI-8 s schedule (predictable delay) or a VI-8 s reinforcement schedule (unpredictable delay). In Test 2 they could choose between choice options associated with the delivery of either a predictable food item (identical at all times) or an unpredictable food item (differing in nature across trials), delivered according to a FI-8 s schedule. Based upon natural foraging strategies of pigs it was expected that that pigs would prefer the unpredictable options in each test. However, the results from our experiment did not support this hypothesis. Factors that may influence the pig's sensitivity to variability in food rewards, are discussed. #

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The effect of rate of reinforcement and time in session on preference for variability

Cited by 9 publications

References 84 publications

The role of context in risky choice

The role of context in risky choice

Choice between variable and fixed cocaine injections in male rhesus monkeys

Are pigs sensitive to variability in food rewards?

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