Probability discrimination in a motor task.

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Abstract
The present study tested the generality of certain findings of some verbal conditioning studies on the effects of intermittent reinforcement on human performance. The subjects (Ss) were forced to make a prediction regarding the path of a target if they were to succeed in the tracking task assigned them. Subjects were given no instructions regarding the problem of prediction nor was it indicated in any way that some predictions were considered correct and others incorrect by E. Targets swept across the screen in an arc in either direction in a random sequence with a fixed percentage for each side. Percentages of 25, 40, 50, 60, and 75% were used in different groups. Each trial lasted 1 sec. and if S succeeded in staying on target for a cumulative total of 0.3 sec. (or 0.5 sec.), a signal was presented indicating a "hit." Results of the 0.5 sec. groups show a gradual negatively accelerated increase in the percentage of anticipations toward the most frequently correct side. Response percentages exceeded the stimulus percentages. The 0.3 sec-groups showed considerably less improvement.
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