Delay of the reinforcing opportunity to speak in reply under invariable initial disagreement

Abstract

Speaking in reply has the functional properties of reinforcement, and delay of the opportunity to speak in reply has the functional properties of delay of reinforcement. In an experimental conversation modeled on discrete-trials instrumental conditioning, instrumental response speeds were faster when the opportunity to speak in reply was immediate rather than delayed (N = 80, p<.05). Invariable initial disagreement impairs acquisition, but not sufficiently to prevent a sizeable delay of reinforcement effect.