Staddon, J. E. R., Chelaru, I. M., & Higa, J. J. (2002).
A tuned-trace theory of interval-timing dynamics.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior,
77, 105-124.
Animals on interval schedules of reinforcement can rapidly adjust
a temporal dependent variable, such as wait time, to changes in
the prevailing interreinforcement interval. We describe data on
the effects of impulse, step, sine-cyclic, and variable-interval
schedules and show that they can be explained by a tuned-trace
timing model with a one-back threshold-setting rule. The model
can also explain steady-state timing properties such as
proportional and Weber law timing and the effects of
reinforcement magnitude. The model assumes that food reinforcers
and other time markers have a decaying effect (trace) with
properties that can be derived from the rate-sensitive property
of habituation (the multiple-time-scale model). In timing
experiments, response threshold is determined by the trace value
at the time of the most recent reinforcement. The model provides
a partial account for the learning of multiple intervals, but
does not account for scalloping and other postpause features of
responding on interval schedules and has some problems with
square-wave schedules.
Key words: interval timing, multiple time scale, scalar timing,
memory, habituation, pigeons, rats