The Scallop in Human Fixed-Interval Research: A Review of Problems with Data Description

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Psychological Record

Volume

43

Publication Date

1993

First Page

471

Last Page

500

Abstract

Early research studying human performance on schedules of reinforcement indicated that scalloped response patterns (initial pausing followed by accelerating responding) were prevalent in fixed interval (FI) schedules, but later research has shown that scalloping is rare in humans. Problems with the description of response patterns include considerable variability in what was identified as a scallop and authors' exaggeration of the prevalence of scalloping. Methods of response pattern analysis, including the Mathematical Index of Curvature, interresponse time microanalysis, and visual inspection of cumulative records, are discussed. A technique of interval-by-interval classification of response patterns in cumulative records may improve descriptions of FI patterning. Cumulative record data from a published study (R. P. Bentall et al; see record 1986-08699-001) on schedule performance with infants are reanalyzed using the method to illustrate its application. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

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