Human choice behaviour in a frequently changing environment

The present experiment provided a replication in humans of an experimental procedure that has been used frequently with nonhumans to investigate choice behaviour in a changing environment. Six volunteers played a computer game, which required tracking of a moving balloon on two simultaneously available response panels for monetary reinforcers. Each of the 15 sessions randomly arranged the following concurrent variable-interval reinforcement schedules, which were in effect until six reinforcers had been obtained: 27:1, 9:1, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, 1:9, and 1:27. Although many aspects of human performance appeared to be qualitatively similar to that of nonhumans on this procedure, such as the rapid preference shifts towards the within-session reinforcer ratios and the presence of local effects of reinforcers, values of sensitivity to reinforcement were very variable in the present study, as commonly reported in human choice studies. Future variations and refinements of the experimental methods are needed to explore how this variability may be reduced.