The continuous analysis of spatial behavioral-dynamics under stimuli-schedules has been a scarcely studied field in experimental psychology. A recent study conducted in our laboratory suggest that the features embedded in the spatial dynamics of behavior are affected by stimulus-schedules, at least, as much as features embedded in discrete responses. In that study we compared the spatial behavioral dynamics under two time-based schedules (fixed vs variable time) of water delivery, and two different locations of water delivery (delivery in central zone vs. perimetral zone) on a Modified Open Field System (MOFS). The present work replicates those findings taking in consideration previously uncontrolled variables. In Experiment 1, three subjects were exposed to a Fixed Time 30s water-delivery schedule. In the first phase the water dispenser was located at the perimetral zone. In the second condition, the water dispenser was located at the central zone. Each location was presented for 20 sessions. In Experiment 2, conditions were the same, but a Variable Time schedule was used. Measures of entropy were used to describe the spatial behavioral dynamics. We found higher levels of entropy under central location of water delivery than in the perimetral location; and higher entropy under Fixed than Variable Time Schedule, confirming previous findings but under different sequences of dispenser locations. In general, a well-differentiated dynamic between experimental conditions was observed in terms of direction (distance to the dispenser) and variation (entropy) of spatial behavior. These findings are discussed under a systemic, parametric, ecological, and non-mediational framework.
EFFECTS OF A FIXED-TIME SCHEDULE ON ABERRANT AND ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR