Learning the temporal dynamics of behavior

Psychol Rev. 1997 Apr;104(2):241-65. doi: 10.1037/0033-295x.104.2.241.

Abstract

This study presents a dynamic model of how animals learn to regulate their behavior under time-based reinforcement schedules. The model assumes a serial activation of behavioral states during the interreinforcement interval, an associative process linking the states with the operant response, and a rule mapping the activation of the states and their associative strength onto response rate or probability. The model fits data sets from fixed-interval schedules, the peak procedure, mixed fixed-interval schedules, and the bisection of temporal intervals. The major difficulties of the model came from experiments that suggest that under some conditions animals may time 2 intervals independently and simultaneously.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Association Learning / physiology*
  • Conditioning, Operant / physiology*
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Periodicity*
  • Probability
  • Reinforcement Schedule*
  • Time Factors