Matching under concurrent fixed-ratio variable-interval schedules of food presentation

Abstract

Four pigeons were exposed to concurrent fixed-ratio, variable-interval schedules of food presentation. The fixed-ratio requirement was either 25, 50, 75, or 100 responses, with the variable-interval schedule parameter held constant at 4 minutes. A delay time was imposed between a changeover from one schedule to the other and subsequent food availability. The delay time was varied at each ratio requirement over four values; no delay, 0-second delay, 1.5-second delay, and 5.0-second delay. As the fixed-ratio requirement or the delay time increased, a greater proportion of the total responses and time spent responding occurred under the variable-interval schedule relative to the proportion of food deliveries under that schedule. Neither relative overall response rate nor relative time spent responding equalled the relative frequency of food presentation, as would be predicted by a linear "matching" model. Rather, these data were described by power functions with slopes of approximately 1.0 and intercepts greater than 1.0. In the terms of Baum's (1974) analysis, these deviations from linear matching represent bias in favor of responding under the interval schedule. Bias, as reflected in the intercept of the power function, was greater for the ratio of time than the ratio of responses.