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| Response Maintenance Effects of a >1/1 Conditioned Reinforcer to Primary Reinforcer Ratio in Applied Animal Behavior Settings |
| Monday, May 28, 2007 |
| 2:30 PM–3:50 PM |
| Cunningham A |
| Area: TPC; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Erica Feuerbacher (University of North Texas) |
| Discussant: Kennon A. Lattal (West Virginia University) |
| Abstract: A focus of debate and research in recent years in the behavior analysis of applied animal behavior (AAB) has been the effect of presenting a conditioned reinforcement stimulus (Sr+) on a continuous schedule for responses that meet criterion (FR1) while presenting a primary reinforcer (SR+) on an FR2 or other non-continuous schedule (R>1). Historical and recent basic research studies support that responding is sensitive to the SR+ schedule to a greater degree than the Sr+ schedule. However, applied research has been somewhat ambiguous and has exposed the relevance of a number of variables affecting outcome, such as timing, contiguity and topography of the Sr+ presentation, the length of the non-continuous SR+ phase, and the presence of intervening responses. This symposium offers a review of relevant literature and presentation of the latest data regarding the issue, as well as a discussion of outcomes and their relevance regarding use and effect in applied settings. |
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| Discrete Trial Training Tasks: The Effects of a 2-1 Ratio of Conditioned and Unconditioned Reinforcer Delivery on the Performance of Dogs. |
| JESUS ROSALES-RUIZ (University of North Texas), Pam Wennmacher (University of North Texas) |
| Abstract: In the clicker training community it is a common practice to deliver a click (conditioned Sr+) and a treat (unconditioned SR+) after every correct behavior. At the same time, some advocate the delivery of several clicks before a treat is delivered. There is much controversy over whether there is a difference in the effects of these two procedures. Recent research, however, has shown that the ratio has an effect on both the topography and frequency of behavior (Dunham, et. al., and Wennmacher, et. al., ABA 2005; Kaulafat et.al., ABA 2006). The present study shows an additional analysis of the number of cue presentations for the dog to perform the behavior during 1-1 and 2-1 CS-US ratios. Two dogs learned to bow and spin on cue using a 1-1 CS-US ratio. Then the CS-US ratio change to 2-1 and alternated in an ABAB reversal design fashion. The results show that in
addition to disrupting the accuracy of responding, the dogs required considerably more repetitions of the cue before the behavior was eventually performed. Implications of this research will be discussed. |
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| Free Operant Training Tasks: The Effects of a 2-1 Ratio of Conditioned and Unconditioned Reinforcer Delivery on the Performance of Dogs. |
| KATHRYN L. KALAFUT (University of North Texas), Erica Feuerbacher (University of North Texas), Jesus Rosales-ruiz (University of North Texas) |
| Abstract: In the clicker training community it is a common practice to deliver a click (conditioned Sr+) and a treat (unconditioned SR+) after every correct behavior. At the same time, some advocate the delivery of several clicks before a treat is delivered. There is much controversy over whether there is a difference in the effects of these two procedures. Recent research, however, has shown that the 2-1 ratio has an effect on both the topography and frequency of behavior (Dunham, et. al., and Wennmacher, et. al., ABA 2005). The present study is a continuation of research (Kaulafat et.al., ABA 2006) in free operant situations. In that research the results were likely to be influenced by the previous experience with the 2-1 ratio in a previous phase of the experiment. The present research will study the effects of changing the 1-1 CS-US ratio in a FR2 schedule of reinforcement (i.e., delivering the CS [a click] and food after the second response) to a 2-1 CS-US ratio (i.e., delivering the CS after every response and deliver the food after the second CS presentation) in two dogs. Results in progress. |
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| Conditioned Reinforcer to Primary Reinforcer Schedule Effects in Basic and Applied Settings. |
| SCOTT A. TAYLOR (Western Michigan University), Jennifer L. Sobie (Western Michigan University) |
| Abstract: The advent of the systematic use of conditioned reinforcement stimuli (Sr+) as response markers in shaping and maintaining behavior in applied settings with animals has revolutionized the field of animal training. Marine mammals are trained almost exclusively by such means, and in both competition and non-competitive dog training the market has been flooded with devices and books aimed at bringing this behavioral technology to the eager and receptive public. However, although much attention has been given the use of Sr+ in behavior acquisition, less has been allotted the technology of the use of Sr+ in behavior maintenance. Most literature assumes a Sr+ to primary reinforcer (SR+) ratio of 1/1, although quite often in practice this is not the case. Recent bridge and applied studies with dogs and horses in natural environments have shown that a change in the SR+ delivery from FR1 to R>1 may disrupt responding regardless of the fact that Sr+ presentation remains on a FR1 schedule. However, there has also been some indication that responding may recover. This study sought to further understanding of the phenomenon by evaluating the long-term effects of changing Sr+/SR+ ratios on dog behavior shaped on a Sr+1/SR+1ratio. To further the external validity of the study, the dogs will be trained in a variety of environments and handled by people with experience in training dogs but without educational foundations in behavior analysis. |
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