A model for choice in simple concurrent and concurrent-chains schedules

Abstract

Pigeons' responses in the presence of two concurrently available (initial-link) stimuli produced one of two different (terminal-link) stimuli. Entrance into the mutually exclusive terminal links was arranged by different and independent variable-interval schedules for each key, while responses during the mutually exclusive terminal-link stimuli produced a single food reinforcement according to indentical and independent variable-interval schedules. The pigeons emitted more initial-link responses on the key with the shorter average interreinforcement interval in the initial link. This difference in initial-link response rates varied directly with the difference between the average inter-reinforcement intervals of the initial-link schedules and decreased when the initial-link schedule with the longer average interreinforcement interval was followed by several consecutive food reinforcements on the variable-interval schedule in the terminal link on that key. These results are incompatible with previous formulations of choice behavior with the concurrent-chains procedure. A modified formulation with a multiplier for the overall rate of primary reinforcement obtained on each key provides a better description of choice. In addition, the new formulation applies to behavior in simple (concurrent) choice situations, an advantage not achieved by previous formulations.