Preference for mixed versus constant delay of reinforcement

Abstract

Preference for constant and mixed delay of reinforcement was studied using concurrent equal variable-interval schedules. For four pigeons, pecking one key was reinforced following constant delays of 8 sec and mixed delays of 6 or 10 and 2 or 14 sec. Pecking a second key was reinforced following constant delays of 0, 8, 16, and 32 sec. For two additional pigeons, pecking one key was reinforced following delays of 30, 15 or 45, 5 or 55, and 0 or 60 sec. Reinforcements on the other key were delayed 30 sec. It was found that (a) pigeons preferred mixed relative to constant delay of reinforcement, and (b) preference for mixed delay of reinforcement increased as the range of delay interval variability increased.