... And the one on the pigeons, trained to peck a button that made a grain of corn appear. Three groups of them: the first got one grain per peck, the second one grain every other peck, the third was random. When the man in charge cut off the grain, the first group gave up quite soon, the second group a little later. The third group never gave up. They'd peck themselves to death, rather than quit. Who knew what worked?
The excerpt from "The Handmaid's Tale" highlights an experiment involving pigeons trained to peck a button for food. The pigeons were divided into three groups based on their rewards: one group received food with every peck, another every other peck, and the last group received food randomly. When the food supply was cut off, the first group quickly ceased pecking, the second group lasted a bit longer, while the third group continued indefinitely, demonstrating extreme persistence despite obvious futility.
This scenario illustrates the effects of reinforcement schedules on behavior. The third group's relentless pecking symbolizes how unpredictability can lead to unwavering commitment, suggesting profound insights about human behavior and motivation. The author's reflection on the outcomes raises questions about the nature of hope and perseverance, particularly in challenging circumstances where the reward may be elusive.
