title: Negatively reinforced key pecking.
abstract: A reinforcement-switching procedure was used to produce negatively reinforced key pecking in pigeons. First, key pecking on a chain schedule (fixed-interval 10-sec variable-interval 60-sec) was conditioned using grain reinforcement. Second, intermittent shock in the initial link was introduced at a low intensity and gradually increased. Third, food reinforcement in the terminal link was eliminated. With shock at 90 V occurring on the average every 3 sec, initial-link pecking was maintained with no terminal-link food. Three of four pigeons responded consistently at shock intensities of 90, 70, and 50 V but not at 30 V. A fourth pigeon responded at but not below 90 V. Rate of response was directly related to shock frequency. Eliminating food deprivation did not affect the negatively reinforced performance.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoyak
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muehleisen