This arrangement exists when two or more reinforcement schedules are available simultaneously, each for a different response. An organism is free to choose any of the available responses, and the chosen response leads to reinforcement according to the schedule associated with it. For instance, a pigeon might have the option to peck a red key on a variable interval schedule of reinforcement or peck a green key on a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement.
Understanding this arrangement is crucial for analyzing choice behavior. It allows researchers to determine the factors that influence an individual’s preference for one option over another. This framework has been applied extensively in areas such as behavioral economics, addiction research, and the study of decision-making in various species. Its development significantly advanced the field by providing a controlled environment to examine how organisms allocate their behavior in the face of multiple opportunities for reward.
