Preference after training with differential changeover delays

Pigeons were trained on a multiple schedule in which each component consist ed of concurrent variable-interval (VI) 30-s VI 60-s schedules. The two com ponents of the multiple schedule differed only in terms of the changeover d elays (COD): For one component short CODs were employed, and in the second component long CODs were used. After approximate matching was obtained in e ach component, probe tests involving new combinations of stimuli were prese nted (e.g., the VI 30-s schedule from each component) to determine how the different CODs affected preference. Despite shorter CODs producing higher c hangeover rates, the COD Value had no systematic effect on preference on th e probe trials. However, differences in reinforcement rate always produced preference for the schedule with the higher reinforcement rate. The results thus show that the the pattern of changeover behavior per se is not a crit ical determinant of choice in the probe-trial procedure.