Effects of different probabilities of reinforcement on accuracy in a matching to sample task: Increasing the intereinforcement interval

Abstract

Using a matching to sample task pigeons were exposed to different durations of interreinforcer interval (19, 38, 76 and 152 s) according to different probability of reinforcement values (1.0, 0.5, 0.25, 0.12). The speed of acquisition was quicker and the discrimination index was higher for the pigeons exposed to a longer interreinforcer interval. It is identified to the interreinforcer interval like a more general variable that controls the accuracy levels and the acquisition speed of conditional discriminations.