An investigation of the relationship between rate of responding during and acquisition and resistance to experimental extinction.

The aim of the present series of experiments was to show that a direct relationship exists between two measures of response strength- rate of responding and resistance to extinction. Experiments I and II used a different subjects design, with three pigeons, one at each level of the independent variable. The results of experiment I (fixed interval schedules) and experiment II (variable interval schedules) were similar - no systematic relationship between the two variables under observation was found. Experiments III and IV controlled individual differences by using multiple schedules of reinforcement. The results of experiment III, where three pigeons were exposed to the same MULT FI schedule yielded a direct function between the two measures of response strength. Experiment IV used a MULT CONJ FI-FR(DRL-DRH) schedule with three pigeons exposed to both levels of the independent variable, so that control could be exercised simultaneously over both number of reinforcements and "time-in-schedule". The trend of the data obtained was in the same direction as that found in experiment III. It was thus concluded, with individual differences controlled for, that rate of responding and resistance to extinction were directly related, and hence adequately mirror response strength.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

1975

Author dc:creator

• Marshall, Andrew John

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Oxtoby, Richard

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12461

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/12461