Work

Contrasting effects of reinforcer rate and magnitude on differential resistance to change in humans

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The effects of the magnitude of reinforcement on the resistance to change of humans engaged in a computer task were examined in two experiments. In each, responding was disrupted by increasing the force requirement of the required response. In Experiment 1, the participants were exposed to a multiple variable-interval (VI) VI schedule of reinforcement. Responses meeting the VI requirement resulted in the addition of a monetary value to the computer screen. At the end of each session, the monetary value was exchanged for real money. In Experiment 2, snacks or money provided at the time earned were the reinforcers. There was no differential resistance to change as a function of reinforcer magnitude in either experiment. These findings led to Experiment 3, in which the participants from Experiment 2 were exposed to schedules arranging different reinforcement rates using as reinforcers snacks, money at the time it was earned, and points exchangeable for money at the session's end. There was greater resistance to change in the VI component with a higher reinforcement rate. The results are discussed in relation to the varied effects of reinforcer magnitude on both response rates and resistance to change.

Source: Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

DOI: 10.1002/jeab.70027

Authors: Carlos Eduardo Costa, Karina Pinheiro da Silva, André Connor de Méo Luiz, André Marques Choinski, Kennon A. Lattal

Institutions: Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Universidade Federal do Paraná, West Virginia University

Language: English

Topic: Behavioral and Psychological Studies

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,150

Funders: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico