Investigating the devaluation explanation for negative anticipatory contrast.
This study addressed whether negative anticipatory contrast results in a decrease in the value of the low-valued substance. Rats responded in training conditions designed to produce negative contrast. They then responded in test sessions in which the low-valued substance from the training sessions was the reinforcer for an operant response. Despite the finding of contrast in the training conditions, the low-valued substance was a more effective reinforcer early in testing after training conditions in which it had been followed by access to the high-valued substance than after training conditions in which it had not. The findings question the devaluation explanation for contrast but may be similar to other findings of reversals of "preference."
Weatherly
Jeffrey N
JN
Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8380, USA. jeffrey_weatherly@und.nodak.edu
Nurnberger
Jeri T
JT
Sturdevant
Megan
M
D000339:Affect; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology