The Effect of Shifts in Reward Magnitude and Changes of Schedule of Reinforcement on Resistance to Extinction

The problem concerned the resistance to extinction of an alley running response as a function of various combinations of reward sizes (l or 10 pellets) and schedules of reinforcement (50 or 100%). Three experimental phases were used (acquisition, shift of reward, and extinction). Three measures were taken in the alley (start, alley, and goal speed). Animals trained under partial reinforcement (PRF) showed no significant differences in acquisition running speed over animals trained on continuous reinforcement (CRF). Depression effects (decreases in running speed) were observed for both CRF and PRF trained animals during the shift phase. Overall tests between PRF and CRF groups revealed no significant differences in number of trials to extinction. The results were discussed in terms of operant conditioning theory. Ideas for further research involving shift periods of varying lengths were offered.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Experimental Psychology

Year

1967

Author dc:creator

• Boylan, Richard James

Contributors dc:contributor

• Thomas B. Collins, Jr.
• Marion D. Harless
• Eldon E. Jacobsen

• Science
• Extinction (Psychology)
• Reinforcement (Psychology)
• Experimental Analysis of Behavior
• Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd/641

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.cwu.edu:etd-1653