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A tuned-trace theory of interval-timing dynamics.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Staddon, JER; Chelaru, IM; Higa, JJ
Published in: Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior
January 2002

Animals on interval schedules of reinforcement can rapidly adjust a temporal dependent variable, such as wait time, to changes in the prevailing interreinforcement interval. We describe data on the effects of impulse, step, sine-cyclic, and variable-interval schedules and show that they can be explained by a tuned-trace timing model with a one-back threshold-setting rule. The model can also explain steady-state timing properties such as proportional and Weber law timing and the effects of reinforcement magnitude. The model assumes that food reinforcers and other time markers have a decaying effect (trace) with properties that can be derived from the rate-sensitive property of habituation (the multiple-time-scale model). In timing experiments, response threshold is determined by the trace value at the time of the most recent reinforcement. The model provides a partial account for the learning of multiple intervals, but does not account for scalloping and other postpause features of responding on interval schedules and has some problems with square-wave schedules.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior

DOI

EISSN

1938-3711

ISSN

0022-5002

Publication Date

January 2002

Volume

77

Issue

1

Start / End Page

105 / 124

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Perception
  • Reinforcement Schedule
  • Motivation
  • Models, Statistical
  • Mental Recall
  • Habituation, Psychophysiologic
  • Columbidae
  • Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology
  • Animals
  • 5204 Cognitive and computational psychology
 

Citation

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Staddon, J. E. R., Chelaru, I. M., & Higa, J. J. (2002). A tuned-trace theory of interval-timing dynamics. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 77(1), 105–124. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2002.77-105
Staddon, J. E. R., I. M. Chelaru, and J. J. Higa. “A tuned-trace theory of interval-timing dynamics.Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior 77, no. 1 (January 2002): 105–24. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2002.77-105.
Staddon JER, Chelaru IM, Higa JJ. A tuned-trace theory of interval-timing dynamics. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior. 2002 Jan;77(1):105–24.
Staddon, J. E. R., et al. “A tuned-trace theory of interval-timing dynamics.Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, vol. 77, no. 1, Jan. 2002, pp. 105–24. Epmc, doi:10.1901/jeab.2002.77-105.
Staddon JER, Chelaru IM, Higa JJ. A tuned-trace theory of interval-timing dynamics. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior. 2002 Jan;77(1):105–124.

Published In

Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior

DOI

EISSN

1938-3711

ISSN

0022-5002

Publication Date

January 2002

Volume

77

Issue

1

Start / End Page

105 / 124

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Perception
  • Reinforcement Schedule
  • Motivation
  • Models, Statistical
  • Mental Recall
  • Habituation, Psychophysiologic
  • Columbidae
  • Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology
  • Animals
  • 5204 Cognitive and computational psychology