Biomedical subjects

J F DARDANO

Publications and source records attributed to J F DARDANO.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1965

MODIFICATION OF OBSERVING BEHAVIOR.

The effects on monitoring performance of a limited hold (LH) terminated by a bell or by electric shock and of periodic rest periods were investigated. The sensitivity of basal skin conductance to different monitoring conditions was also studied. Humans monitored a visual display in several 2-hr sessions under the Holland procedure. In each session, signals were programmed by one of the following three multiple schedules: a variable interval of 6 min (VI 6) and a VI 6 with a limited hold (LH) terminated by a bell; a VI 6 and a VI 6 LH terminated by electric shock; a VI 6 LH terminated by shock and a time-out (TO). The two components of each schedule alternated at 15-min intervals. The average observing response rate of eight subjects was lowest during the VI 6 periods, higher in periods when the LH was terminated by a bell, and highest when the LH was terminated by shock. Periodic TO periods did not appreciably increase the response rate under the VI 6 LH shock component. A differential level of palmar skin conductance under the two components of a schedule was present only under the mult VI 6 LH shock-TO.

Arousal↗

PubMed1964

SELECTIVE PUNISHMENT OF FIXED-RATIO PERFORMANCE.

Key-pecking of pigeons, maintained by an FR 50 grain reinforcement schedule, was punished by shocking the first, middle, or last response of the ratio. Under high shock levels, the three punishment conditions produced differential effects on the behavior. Punishment of the first response of the ratio resulted in consistent and extended post-reinforcement pausing and frequent extended breaks after the initial response(s) of the ratio. Punishment of the 25th response disrupted responding in the first half of the ratio with little effect on the last half of the ratio. Punishment of the final response resulted in breaks and local rate changes in various parts of the ratio. Durations of pauses after reinforcement were more variable when the 25th and 50th responses were punished relative to those when the first response was punished.

Animals↗

PubMed1964

AN AVERSIVE STIMULUS AS A CORRELATED BLOCK COUNTER IN FR PERFORMANCE.

After the performances of two pigeons had stabilized on an FR 100 grain reinforcement schedule, response-contingent shock was introduced in the form of a block counter. When shock intensity increased in successive thirds of the ratio, duration of post-reinforcement pauses increased and local rate in an advanced part of the ratio declined. With decrements of shock intensity in successive thirds of the ratio, running rate was not consistently affected but pauses after reinforcements were longer than those under the increasing counter. The results are interpreted in terms of the interaction among some controlling variables operating in the behavioral chain.

Animals↗

PubMed1964

SELECTIVE PUNISHMENT OF CONCURRENT PROGRESSIVE RATIO BEHAVIOR.

Key pecking of pigeons was reinforced with grain on a progressive ratio schedule during the presence of either of two key colors. Under one color, all responses were shocked; under the other color, responses were not shocked. A single response on a second key switched the key color and reset the progressive ratio, provided that the first step of the progressive ratio had been completed. A preference developed for the longer ratios of the progressive ratio under the non-shock key color. When the severity of punishment suppressed responding under the key color correlated with shock, the subjects continued to switch to the shock condition after a moderate degree of responding under the non-shock condition. Severe punishment also resulted in frequent, ineffective responses on the switching key and extended pausing under the key color associated with shock.

Animals↗