Resistance to extinction as a function of IQ and reinforcement ratio among retarded children.
Children at three levels of mental retardation (IQ ranges of 50-60, 30-40 and 20-below) were trained to bar-press on one of two variable ratio (V.R.) schedules. Responses were reinforced twenty-five times on either a V.R.2 or V.R.4 schedule. Analysis of the number of responses during extinction indicated an inverse relationship between IQ and resistance to extinction. The period reinforcement extinction effect was found, but there was no interaction with IQ level. The results support the position that inhibitory control is an important parameter along which intelligence may be ordered.
D002648:Child; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007360:Intelligence; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule