Previous research shows that reinforcement of variable responding will facilitate sequence learning in rats (Neuringer, Deiss & Olson, 2000) but may interfere with sequence learning in humans (Maes & van der Goot, 2006). The present study aimed to replicate and extend previous research by assessing the role of behavioral variability in the learning of difficult target sequences across 3 species: humans (n = 60), hens (n = 18) and possums (n = 6). Participants were randomly allocated to one of three experimental conditions (Control, Variable, Any). In the Control conditions sequences were only reinforced if they were the target sequence, in the Variability conditions sequences were concurrently reinforced on a Variable Interval 60-s schedule if the just entered sequence met a variability criterion, and in the Any condition sequences were concurrently reinforced on a Variable Interval 60-s schedule for any sequence entered. The results support previous findings with animals and humans; hens and possums were more likely to learn the target sequence in the Variability condition, and human participants were more likely to learn the target sequence in the Control condition. Possible explanations for differences between the performance of humans and animals on this task will be discussed.

Research shows that reinforcement of variable responding facilitates sequence learning in rats but may interfere with sequence learning in humans. Experiment 1 examined sequence difficulty in humans by manipulating sequence length and task instruction. Experiment 2 investigated the effect of removing or adding a variability contingency within the experimental session for a 6-item sequence. Participants were allocated to either a Control or Variable group. The Control group only received reinforcement for production of the target sequences. The Variability group received reinforcers on a Variable Interval 60-s schedule if the sequence met a variability criterion and for production of the target sequence. In Experiment 2 after 10 reinforcer deliveries the variability contingency was either removed or added. In Experiment 1, the Control group produced more target sequences for the 6-digit conditions, the Variable group produced more target sequences for the 9-digit condition and there was no difference between groups for the 12-digit condition. Task instructions had little impact on the results. In Experiment 2 the Control performed better than the Variability group - addition or removal of the variability contingency had little effect on performance. Results will be discussed in relation to previously published research on sequence learning with animals and humans.

Previous research shows that reinforcement of variable responding will facilitate sequence learning in rats (Neuringer, Deiss & Olson, 2000) but may interfere with sequence learning in humans (Maes & van der Goot, 2006). The present study aimed to replicate and extend previous research by assessing the role of behavioural variability in the learning of difficult target sequences across 3 species: humans (n = 60), hens (n = 18) and possums (n = 6). Participants were randomly allocated to one of three experimental conditions (Control, Variable, Any). In the Control conditions sequences were only reinforced if they were the target sequence, in the Variability conditions sequences were concurrently reinforced on a Variable Interval 60-s schedule if the just entered sequence met a variability criterion, and in the Any condition sequences were concurrently reinforced on a Variable Interval 60-s schedule for any sequence entered. The results support previous findings with animals and humans; hens and possums were more likely to learn the target sequence in the Variability condition, and human participants were more likely to learn the target sequence in the Control condition. Possible explanations for differences between the performance of humans and animals on this task will be discussed.