title: The overlearning-extinction effect and successive negative contrast in honeybees (Apis mellifera).
abstract: In three experiments with free-flying honeybees, the previously discovered overlearning-extinction effect was replicated under different conditions and shown to depend on magnitude of reinforcement: The effect appeared in training with a 50% sucrose solution but not with a 20% solution. The results prompted a fourth experiment in which successive negative contrast was demonstrated: The animals were disturbed to find the 20% solution on a distinctive target that always before had been baited with the 50% solution. The conclusion is that the overlearning-extinction effect is an instance of contrast and can be understood in terms of frustration engendered by unrealized anticipation of reinforcement.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D010056:Overlearning; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D013649:Taste