Shaping inter-response time and run length using a discrete-trial percentile schedule combined with a fixed consecutive number procedure

In shaping the long inter-response time (IRT), the effect of combining a fixed consecutive number (FCN) procedure with a discrete-trial percentile schedule was examined. In each trial, pigeons were required to peck at least once at the IRT start key and then at the IRT end key. Reinforcers were presented according to the percentile schedule based on the time interval between two pecks (IRT) or the cumulative number of pecks to the IRT start key before pecking the IRT end key. Successful shaping was observed when the FCN procedure was combined with a percentile schedule. The procedure developed in this study provides an ideal baseline performance for studying response shaping with IRTs.