Response cost and fixed-ratio performance

The effects of several conditions of response cost (response-produced point loss) upon FR 50 performance maintained by 100-point reinforcements were investigated. Post-reinforcement pauses did not appear under no-cost (no points deducted per response) conditions. Such pauses were effected, however, by introducing 5-sec periods of one-point and two-point costs after each reinforcement. Continuous response cost did not affect responding as long as the cost was less than the 100-point reinforcements. Rapid cessation of responding occurred when continuous response cost was made equal to reinforcement.