Effects of reinforcement delays on procrastination in pigeons

Procrastination has been defined as the choice of a larger, later work requirement over a smaller, sooner work requirement. In one experiment (Mazur, 1996), pigeons chose a later-onset work requirement over an earlier-onset work requirement when work requirements were identical and reinforcement was at an equal delay from the choice point. In Phase I of the present experiment, reinforcement was delivered to pigeons immediately upon completion of either an early- or a late-onset work requirement in the terminal links of a concurrent-chains schedule. The early-onset work requirement was preferred. This preference held in Phase 2, when a delay to reinforcement was added, following completion of the early-onset work requirement. These results suggest that when work requirements produce more immediate reinforcement, relative to the choice point, they will be preferred, even when there is a shorter delay to their onset.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2001

Author dc:creator

• Meginley, Megan Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kennon A. Lattal.
• Michael Perone
• Cheryl McNeil

• Behavioral psychology
• Experimental psychology

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/708

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1711