Secondary Reinforcement Strength and Primary Reinforcement Schedule: Single Group Design and Successive Discrimination Testing

Abstract

Previous research, using a between-groups design, showed that a stimulus developed into a stronger secondary reinforcer (Sr) when it was associated with food reinforcement presented on an Fr schedule than when it was used with a Crf schedule. However, with a within-subjects design, opposite results were found. The present study examines the possibility that the difference between the test procedures for the between and within designs (successive and simultaneous discrimination, respectively) might have resulted in the differing findings. This was not the case; using a within design and successive discrimination testing, results were similar to those using the previous within design, simultaneous discrimination procedure.