Date of Award

4-1987

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Alan D. Poling

Second Advisor

Dr. Bradley Huitema

Third Advisor

Dr. Jack Michael

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Four pigeons responded under chained variable-interval schedules in which the required response topographies were either similar [i.e., a homogeneous chain] or dissimilar Ci.e., a heterogeneous chain]. Subjects were exposed to all possible combinations of initial-link key pecking or treadle pressing and terminal-link pecking or treadling. Three of four subjects displayed higher initial-link response rates under the homogeneous chains. The present results were explained in terms of an induction effect in which the strengthening effect of reinforcing a particular terminal-link response topagrapahy generalizes to similar responses earlier in the chain, but not to topographically different responses.

Included in

Psychology Commons

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