Madden, G. J., Dake, J. M., Mauel, E. C., & Rowe, R. R. (2005).
Labor supply and consumption of food in a closed economy under a range of fixed-
and random-ratio schedules: Tests of unit price.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 83, 99-118.
The behavioral economic concept of unit price predicts that consumption and response
output (labor supply) are determined by the unit price at which a good is available
regardless of the value of the cost and benefit components of the unit price ratio.
Experiment 1 assessed 4 pigeons' consumption and response output at a range of unit
prices. In one condition, food was available according to a range of fixed-ratio
schedules, whereas in the other condition, food was available according to a range
of random-ratio schedules. Consistent with unit price predictions, consumption and
response output were approximately equivalent across schedule types within the lower
range of unit prices. However, at Unit Prices 64 (ratio value = 192) and greater,
considerably more consumption and response output were observed in the random-ratio
condition. Experiment 2 replicated these findings with 4 pigeons using the rapid
demand curve assay procedure that is commonly used in the behavioral economics
literature. Findings are integrated with two mathematical models of behavior
under variable reinforcer delays.
Key words: unit price, behavioral economics, fixed ratio, random ratio,
consumption, closed economy, key peck, pigeon