Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Bridging the Gap Between Laboratory and Applied Research on Response-Independent Schedules

Version 1 : Received: 18 November 2022 / Approved: 23 November 2022 / Online: 23 November 2022 (03:34:03 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Ingvarsson, E.T.; Fernandez, E.J. Bridging the Gap between Laboratory and Applied Research on Response‐independent Schedules. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 2022, 56, 55–77, doi:10.1002/jaba.965. Ingvarsson, E.T.; Fernandez, E.J. Bridging the Gap between Laboratory and Applied Research on Response‐independent Schedules. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 2022, 56, 55–77, doi:10.1002/jaba.965.

Abstract

In 1948, Skinner described the behavior of pigeons under response-independent schedules as “superstitious,” and proposed that the responses were reinforced by contiguous, adventitious food deliveries. Subsequently, response-independent schedules have been of interest to both basic and applied researchers, first to understand the mechanisms involved, and later, as “noncontingent reinforcement” (NCR) to reduce undesirable behavior. However, the potential superstitious effects produced by these schedules have been challenged, with some researchers arguing that antecedent variables play a significant role. This paper examines the evidence for adventitious reinforcement from both laboratory and applied research, the results of which suggest that antecedent, non-operant functions may be important in fully understanding the effects of NCR. We propose an applied-basic research synthesis, in which attention to potential non-operant functions could provide a more complete understanding of response-independent schedules. We conclude with a summary of the applied implications of the non-operant functions of NCR schedules.

Keywords

adventitious reinforcement; induction; noncontingent reinforcement; response-independent schedules; superstition

Subject

Social Sciences, Behavior Sciences

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