Kessel, R. & Lucke, R.L. (2008).
An analytic form for the interresponse time analysis of Shull, Gaynor, and Grimes with applications and extensions.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 90, 363-386.
Shull, Gaynor and Grimes (2001) advanced a model for interresponse
time distribution using probabilistic cycling between a higher-rate and
a lower-rate response process. Both response processes are assumed
to be random in time with a constant rate. The cycling between the two
processes is assumed to have a constant transition probability that is
independent of bout length. This report develops an analytic form of
the model which has a natural parametrization for a higher-rate
within-bout responding and a lower-rate visit-initiation
responding. The analytic form provides a convenient basis for both
a nonlinear least-squares data reduction technique to estimate
the model’s parameters and Monte Carlo simulations of the model.
In addition, the analytic formulation is extended to both a
refractory period for the rats’ behavior and, separately, the
strongly-banded behavior seen with pigeons.
Key words: IRT distributions, Monte Carlo simulation, pigeon IRT banding