Ray (1969) conducted an experiment on multiple stimulus-response relations and selective attention. Ray's (1969) results suggested that stimulus-response relations function as behavioral units. McIlvane and Dube (1996) indicated that if stimulus-response relations are behavioral units the effects of environmental variables on stimulus-response relations should be similar to the effects of environmental variables on single response topographies. This experiment analyzed the effects of reinforcement history on the probability of stimulus-response relations with differing reinforcement histories. In separate conditions random-ratio schedules of reinforcement were contingent on each of four discriminated responses. To assess the effects of reinforcement, during test conditions stimuli controlling different topographies were present concurrently in composite form. Results show that reinforcement history affects the probability of each response topography and that the association between response topographies and their controlling stimuli tends to remain constant throughout variations in reinforcement probability.

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Schuster (1959) and Keehn (1963), working with complex schedules of reinforcement, suggested that post-reinforcement pause (PRP) length was a function of the ratio requirements of the schedules' components. More specifically, Schuster indicated that a contrast effect may be the result of changes in schedule components from higher to lower requirements, or vice-versa. The present study attempted to determine the relationship between PRP length and response rate, and component requirements of a multiple fixed ratio schedule. Schedule interactions were examined when behavior was maintained at a given pair of schedules for a prolonged time, and when both schedules were studied at various values.In general, the results of the present study lend support to the position that component requirements of a multiple FR schedule do not interact, as demonstrated by the PRP, to cause a contrast effect to emerge. This study also indicates that an inverse relationship appears to exist between response rate and FR ratio size.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 1998. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 117 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-116).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 1999. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 108 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-84).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1966. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1966. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.