Human Suboptimal Choice: Identifying Alternative Procedures
Suboptimal choice refers to choices that result in leaner schedules of reinforcement over richer schedules (Spetch et al., 1990). This has been demonstrated with non-human animals using procedures wherein two alternatives correspond to different stimuli and different probabilities of receiving rewards. In a previous study (Cronin, 1980), pigeons engaged in suboptimal choice when stimuli paired with food (conditioned reinforcers) followed responses that resulted in no food. This effect, though, has not been demonstrated with humans. The present study aims to replicate the results of the Cronin (1980) study to determine whether the manipulation of stimulus presentations could result in suboptimal responding with humans. This data could provide information regarding the components that maintain suboptimal choice with humans.
Computer Task, Conditioned Reinforcement, Humans, Suboptimal Choice
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