The effects of simultaneous point gains and losses on human persistence

Four experiments assessed the effects of simultaneous point gains and losses on human responding on a moving response button. Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effects of point loss arranged in variable-time (VT) and variable-interval (VI) schedules on persistence. For that purpose, a multiple schedule was in force. One component had point gains only, and the other had point gains and losses. The net reinforcement rate was equated across components by arranging greater point gains in the gains-plus-losses component. Increases in the speed of the moving response button disrupted responding during test sessions. No differential persistence between point-gains and point-gains-and-loss conditions was observed during Experiments 1 and 2. To ensure that point losses could function as punishers, Experiments 3 and 4 compared the effects of point loss arranged in fixed-ratio (FR) or VI schedules on response rate and persistence. The FR and VI point loss decreased the response rate during Experiment 3 but did not produce differential persistence in Experiment 4. These results suggest that point loss decreases response rate but does not weaken persistence more than gains strengthen persistence.