Bowers, M.T., Hill, J. & Palya, W.L. (2008).
Interresponse time structures in variable-ratio and variable-interval
schedules.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 90, 345-362.
The interresponse-time structures of pigeon key pecking were examined
under variable-ratio, variable-interval, and variable-interval
plus linear feedback schedules. Whereas the variable-ratio and
variable-interval plus linear feedback schedules generally resulted
in a distinct group of short interresponse times and a broad distribution
of longer interresponse times, the variable-interval schedules generally
showed a much more continuous distribution of interresponse times. The results
were taken to indicate that a log survivor analysis or double exponential
fit of interresponse times may not be universally applicable to the task of
demonstrating that operant behavior can be dichotomized into bouts of
engagement and periods of disengagement.
Key words: interresponse time, variable-ratio, variable-interval, yoked
schedules, Shull machine, key peck, pigeons