Time since reinforcer access produces gradations of motivation

Resultsof basic research on motivation suggest that response rates vary as a function of independent variable manipulations such as the an amount of pre-feeding prior to experimental sessions or within-session consumption. Response rates vary from zero or low levels through high levels, depending on the manipulation. In applied research and practice, experimenters and clinicians attempt to manipulate response rates via “motivating operations”, which generally consist of deprivation and satiation operations. As a result, motivation is often described as “present” or “absent”, as opposed to existing on a continuum, as suggests by basic research. Responding is thus predicted to (and usually arranged to) occur at either low/zero levels or high levels. In this study, we (1) summarize relevant basic research demonstrating a continuum of motivation, (2) provide examples in the applied literature of deprivation and satiation operations designed to evoke or abate behavior, and (3) show results of a translational study demonstrating that motivation is more appropriately conceptualized within the context as a gradient rather than simply present or absent. Results of the current study are consistent with basic research in that they suggest that motivation is a more dynamic and nuanced conceptual system than the current applied literature and language suggests.