Abstract

COSTA, Carlos Eduardo; BANACO, Roberto Alves  and  BECKER, Rodrigo Morande. Performance in FI with humans: the effect of the type of reinforcer. Temas psicol. [online]. 2005, vol.13, n.1, pp. 18-33. ISSN 1413-389X.

The study investigated the effect of the type of reinforcer on human performances in FI maintained by points. University students were exposed initially to a FI 10s reinforcement schedule. Subsequently, the FI parameter was changed to 5, 20 or 30s. To some participants the points were exchanged by photocopies (Condition 1), to others points were exchanged for money (Condition 2), while to others the points were not exchanged (Condition 3). The type of reinforcer seems to affect the participants' probability to exhibit high response rates (Condition 2) or lower rates (Condition 3-points), when exposed to FI 10s. It seems also to have affected response rates when the FI value changed. For most participants the rate of responses on Conditions 1 and 3 changed when the parameter of FI was altered, but remained the same for participants on Condition 2. Results suggest that reinforcer type can favor responding in high and constant rate under FI.

Keywords : Schedules of reinforcement; Fixed interval; Type of reinforcer; Humans.

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