Relative and absolute strength of response as a function of frequency of reinforcement.

A previous paper (Herrnstein, 1958) reported how pigeons behave on a concurrent schedule under which they peck at either of two response-keys. The significant finding of this investigation was that the relative frequency of responding to each of the keys may be controlled within narrow limits by adjustments in an independent variable. In brief, the requirement for reinforcement in this procedure is the emission of a minimum number of pecks to each of the keys. The pigeon receives food when it completes the requirement on both keys. The frequency of responding to each key was a close approximation to the minimum requirement. The present experiment explores the relative frequency of responding further. In the earlier study it was shown that the output of behavior to each of two keys may be controlled by specific requirements of outputs. Now we are investigating output as a function of frequency of reinforcement. The earlier experiment may be considered a study of differential reinforcement; the present one, a study of strength of response. Both experiments are attempts to elucidate the properties of rdlative frequency of responding as a dependent variable.