Some effects of magnitude of reinforcement on persistence of responding

Abstract

The influence of magnitude of reinforcement was examined on both response rate and behavioral persistence. During Phase 1, a multiple schedule of concurrent reinforcement was implemented in which reinforcement for one response option was held constant at VI 30 s across both components, while magnitude of reinforcement for the other response option was varied across the 2 components. In Phase 2, persistence was evaluated during extinction following steady-state responding. In Phase 1, responding of 3 of the 4 participants was greater on the option that produced the higher magnitude of reinforcement. During Phase 2, 2 of these 3 participants' response persistence under extinction was greater for the signal associated with the greater magnitude of reinforcement. The influence of magnitude of reinforcement on behavioral persistence is discussed, as well as implications for studying behavioral maintenance.