The effects of briefly presented stimuli paired or not paired with food reinforcement were investigated in the pigeon on a multiple schedule containing second‐order schedules. A stimulus paired with food reinforcement was presented on a variable‐interval schedule in one unit of the multiple schedule and either a stimulus not paired with food reinforcement or no stimuli were scheduled in the other unit. Response rates were highest when behavior was followed by the food‐paired stimulus. Presentation of the food‐paired stimulus at completion of each 1‐min variable‐interval component maintained a steady rate of responding between consecutive food presentations. Pausing following food reinforcement was greatest in the second‐order schedule not containing the paired stimulus. Reversing the stimulus pairings led to a reversal of the relative response rates and patterns of responding for