Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior · 1964 · 253 citations · 2 references
Public HealthBehavioral SciencesPsychologyAnimal BehaviorExperimental PsychologyChoice BehaviorClassical ConditioningLearning In AnimalsOperant ConditioningPecking BehaviorBehavioral ConditioningFixed Interval SchedulesReinforcementResponse Allocation
Four pigeons were trained to peck at either of two response-keys. Pecks at either key occasionally produced a secondary reinforcer, in the presence of which further pecks occasionally produced food, the primary reinforcer. All pigeons showed a consistent preference for variable (as compared to fixed) interval schedules of primary reinforcement.
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