Acquisition of simple patterns of responses

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GUSTAVO BACHÁ MÉNDEZ
ALLISTON K. REID

Abstract

In order to study how simple patterns of responses are influenced by their consequences, six rats received food for producing one of four possible sequences of two responses in an operant conditioning chamber with two levers. For four animals, one sequence was reinforced for the first 50 trials of the session, and a different sequence was reinforced for the last 50 trials. In each session one of 12 possible sequences combinations was used, and this cycle of these 12 sessions was repeated on six occasions. This procedure assured that every sequence had an equal number of opportunities of being reinforced. For a second group of rats the reinforced sequence was selected at random. This contingency was maintained until one reinforcer was delivered, and the next reinforced sequence was again selected at random. Thus, every sequence received similar number of reinforcements each session. The frequency distribution of the sequences was different for the two groups. Examination of the dynamics of responding when contingencies were changed revealed processes that acted on individual responses, rather than processes that acted at the level of sequences as complex behavioral units. This procedure promises to be a useful technique for the study of the acquisition of simple behavioral patterns.

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How to Cite
BACHÁ MÉNDEZ, G., & REID, A. K. (2011). Acquisition of simple patterns of responses. Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis, 32(2), 155–177. https://doi.org/10.5514/rmac.v32.i2.23272