Fixed-Ratio Schedule Demand Task
Objective: Test the generality of the unit price concept in demand for food by varying four dimensions of price (fixed-ratio schedule, number of food pellets, probability of reinforcement, and response lever weight) and measuring food consumption and work output as functions of unit price
Protocol Steps
Experimental design setup
Create eight groups by combining two levels each of three factors: number of food pellets per FR completion, probability of reinforcement, and response lever weight/effort in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design
Note: Eight groups total from factorial combination of three factors at two levels each
View evidence from paper
“Two levels of the last three factors were combined in a 2 x 2 x 2 design giving eight groups”
Fixed-ratio schedule testing
Each group is studied under a series of six FR schedules, varying the fixed-ratio schedule as the fourth dimension of price
Note: Fixed-ratio schedule is one of four price dimensions being manipulated
View evidence from paper
“Each group was studied under a series of six FR schedules”
Measure food consumption
Record grams of food consumed by rats across all experimental conditions
Note: Food consumption is plotted as a function of unit price
View evidence from paper
“grams of food consumed plotted as a function of unit price followed a single demand curve”
Measure work output
Calculate total work output as the product of responses and effort (lever weight) across all experimental conditions
Note: Total work output is plotted as a function of unit price
View evidence from paper
“total work output (responses x effort) conformed to a single function when plotted in terms of unit price”