Effects of response type on pigeons' sensitivity to variation in reinforcer amount and reinforcer delay.

Researchers worked with pigeons in a small lab chamber.

Birds could earn grain by either pecking a lit key or pressing a small treadle with their foot.

The team kept the grain rules the same for both actions.

They then checked if the birds cared more about bigger grain piles or faster delivery when using each action.

The pigeons picked the richer, faster option equally often no matter which body part they used.

Key peck or foot press—both told the same story about reinforcer size and timing.

Voss et al. (2019) saw children with autism grow more creative in their requests when the reward grew larger.

That looks like the opposite of the pigeon result, but the kids worked on brand-new skills while the birds chose between steady schedules.

Cox et al. (2015) also found that bigger candy did not speed learning for children with autism, matching the pigeon shrug toward magnitude.

Milo et al. (2010) showed kids stay engaged longer when the edible prize rotates, reminding us that variety, not size, can matter more.

When you pick a response form for a learner—touch, point, vocal—this study says the reinforcer rules stay the same.

You can focus on what is easiest or fastest for the child instead of fearing that one motion will make rewards "count" less.

Still run your own brief test: try small and large reinforcers with the target skill and watch the data before you lock the plan.