Article
Approximating “Real-World” Contingencies in the Human Operant Laboratory
The Journal of Biological Psychology
(1977)
Abstract
Following general commentary on the learner and the apparent research strategy in human operant research, a class of reinforcement contingencies based on variable reinforcer values is described. It is suggested that such schedules may be more representative of "real-world" contingencies than those typically found in lab settings. Contingent incentive value is described and compared with the most similar of extant schedules (correlated reward, response cost, etc). A demonstration study is presented as an illustration. The study was designed to verify that naive Ss could learn simple contingent management of reinforcement contingencies in the absence of shaping. Two undergraduates were exposed to 1 2-component multiple schedule in which reinforcement was always programed according to an FI 20-sec schedule, but in which magnitude of reward was based on 2 different magnitude contingencies, each based on response frequency during the interval. Results show that both Ss gained initial mastery of the high-frequency component sooner and faster than the low-frequency component. Results indicate that the magnitude contingencies involved could be learned without shaping.
Disciplines
Publication Date
1977
Citation Information
Louis Lippman. "Approximating “Real-World” Contingencies in the Human Operant Laboratory" The Journal of Biological Psychology Vol. 19 (1977) p. 11 - 19 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/louis-lippman/43/