Reinforcer probability, reinforcer magnitude, and the reinforcement context for remembering.

Full Abstract

Traditional theories of delayed matching-to-sample performance do not predict that accuracy will improve when absolute levels of reinforcement are increased. This prediction emerges only when reinforcement context is considered (J. A. Nevin, M. Davison, A. L. Odum, & T. A. Shahan, 2007). To provide quantitative data, the authors factorially manipulated between conditions the probability and duration of reinforcement for correct choices by pigeons. In Experiment 1, increasing the value of either variable improved initial discriminability of the forgetting functions, but did not affect the rate of forgetting. In Experiment 2, initial discriminability covaried with changes in choice immediacy and trial completion rate, suggesting a relationship with response strength consistent with Nevin et al.'s behavioral momentum model. Adding reinforcement context to K. G. White and J. T. Wixted's (1999) model also generates predictions consistent with the present experiments and with the effects of manipulating extraneous reinforcement. The inclusion of reinforcement context thus improves predictions of delayed matching-to-sample performance. Copyright (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

Author information

Author/s: Brown, Glenn S (GS); White, K Geoffrey (KG);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of experimental psychology. Animal behavior processes (J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Apr; vol 35 (issue 2) : pp 238-49

Dates: Created 2009/04/14; Completed 2009/06/25;

PMID: 19364232, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/25/2009, IMS Date: 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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