Advisor(s)

Jason C. Bourret

Contributor(s)

Chata Dickson, Eileen M. Roscoe

Date of Award

2009

Date Accepted

8-2009

Degree Grantor

Northeastern University

Degree Level

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department or Academic Unit

Bouve College of Health Sciences, Department of Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology

Keywords

psychology, behavioral, behavioral economics, choice, concurrent schedule, demand function, reinforcer efficacy, work function

Subject Categories

Choice (Psychology), Consumers' preferences

Disciplines

Cognitive Psychology

Abstract

Previous basic and applied research has found conflicting results when measuring reinforcer efficacy with traditional methods. This study was conducted to test a behavioral economic approach to measuring the reinforcing efficacy of choice. In study 1, a concurrent-chains schedule was used to measure preference between concurrent (choice) and simple Fixed ratio 1 (no choice) terminal links. Participants were presented with a two plates: a plate with five edible items and a plate with one edible item. Results determined that all four participants preferred the concurrent link to the simple FR1 link. In Study 2, concurrent and simple FR1 conditions were arranged for one participant in a multiple schedule and schedule requirements for both were systematically manipulated. Data from Study 2 were analyzed as work and demand functions. The locations of demand and work curves for concurrent and simple FR1 terminal links under increasing FR schedule requirements demonstrate preference for the concurrent terminal link.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights Holder

Jamie Leigh Lebowitz


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