HOW TO SCHEDULE REINFORCERS: NAT SCHOENFELD ANO THE T-T SYSTEM

Abstract

The temporal system of reinforcement schedules devised by Professor W, N. (Nat) Schoenfeld permitted the study of continuous relations among a wide variety of schedule effects. In addition, the system clearly separated the schedule rules from the beh¡avior being studied. Parametric exploration of purely temporal variables generated performances characteristic of ratio schedules as well as traditional interval schedules. The system was expanded to incorporate the intrusion of neutral or aversive as well as reinforcing stimuli into the behavioral stream, and thus encompassed a wide variety of traditionally disparate research topics, including Pavlovian relations between stimuli and reinforcers.