Low-response-rate conditioning history and fixed-interval responding in rats.
Bar presses by one group of rats were conditioned under a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate reinforcement schedule immediately prior to conditioning under a fixed-interval schedule. In a second group of rats, bar presses were conditioned first under a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate schedule and then under a fixed-ratio schedule prior to conditioning under a fixed-interval schedule. Low response rates occurred under the fixed-interval schedule only when it was immediately preceded by low-rate conditioning. Otherwise, fixed-interval responding was similar to responding under the fixed-ratio schedule. This finding suggests that responses of laboratory animals are sensitive to immediate history, and, unlike human responses, are relatively insensitive to a history of low-rate conditioning when it is followed by high-rate conditioning.
LeFrancois
J R
JR
Psychology Department, Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302-0006.
Metzger
B
B
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D051381:Rats; D011930:Reaction Time; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology