Abstract
The effect of disparities in reinforcement frequency on human free-operant cooperative responding was examined. Points exchangeable for money maintained responding. Two schedule components alternated during a session. A random interval (Rl) 60-s schedule of point additions was in effect during the first component and a concurrent RI 60-s RI 60-s schedule was in effect during the second component. Subjects were instructed that the second component was initiated by another subject and that they had the option of earning points by working with, or independently of, the other subject. Independent responses earned points added to a counter marked “YOUR EARNINGS.” Cooperative responses earned points added simultaneously to a counter marked “YOUR EARNINGS” and “OTHERS EARNINGS.” Disparities of reinforcement were produced during the first component by increasing the frequency of point additions to either the subject’s or the fictitious other person’s counter. Disparities benefiting the fictitious other subject reduced cooperative responding, decreased independent responding, and had no effect on nonsocial responding during the first component. Disparities benefiting the subject increased cooperative responding in one subject.
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This research was supported by Grants DA03166 (D. R. Cherek, principal investigator) and DA06633 (Ralph Spiga, principal investigator) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Ralph Spiga was also supported by Post-doctoral Fellowship DA05369 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse during this period. We thank Lori Zunker for her special assistance and reviewers for their helpful comments.
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Spiga, R., Cherek, D.R., Grabowski, J. et al. Effects of Inequity on Human Free-Operant Cooperative Responding: A Validation Study. Psychol Rec 42, 29–40 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03399585
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03399585