A pigeon is given a choice between pecking an upper key on a VI 2' schedule and pecking a lower key on a VI 4' schedule. According to the matching law of choice behavior, the pigeon should:
A) always peck the lower key.
B) always peck the upper key.
C) peck the lower key twice as frequently as the upper key.
D) peck the upper key twice as frequently as the lower key.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The matching law of choice behavior suggests that the rate of responding is typically proportional to the rate of reinforcement. Since the VI 2' schedule offers reinforcement twice as often as the VI 4' schedule, the pigeon should peck the upper key (VI 2') twice as frequently as the lower key (VI 4').

A Pigeon Is Given a Choice Between Pecking an Upper