title: Resistance to change and resurgence in humans engaging in a computer task.
abstract: The relation between persistence, as measured by resistance to change, and resurgence has been examined with nonhuman animals but not systematically with humans. The present study examined persistence and resurgence with undergraduate students engaging in a computer task for points exchangeable for money. In Phase 1, a target response was maintained on a multiple variable-interval (VI) 15-s (Rich) VI 60-s (Lean) schedule of reinforcement. In Phase 2, the target response was extinguished while an alternative response was reinforced at equal rates in both schedule components. In Phase 3, the target and the alternative responses were extinguished. In an additional test of persistence (Phase 4), target responding was reestablished as in Phase 1 and then disrupted by access to videos in both schedule components. In Phases 2 and 4, target responding was more persistent in the Rich than in the Lean component. Also, resurgence generally was greater in the Rich than in the Lean component in Phase 3. The present findings with humans extend the generality of those obtained with nonhuman animals showing that higher reinforcement rates produce both greater persistence and resurgence, and suggest that common processes underlie response persistence and relapse.
authors.affiliation: Aichi Bunkyo University, 5969-3 Okusa, Komaki, Aichi, 485-8565, Japan. Electronic address: toshikazu.kuroda@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Toshikazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70.910-900, Brasília-DF, Brazil. Electronic address: carlos.cancado@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Carlos R X
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Cançado
authors.affiliation: Florida Institute of Technology and the Scott Center for Autism Treatment, 150 W University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA. Electronic address: cpodlesnik@fit.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Podlesnik
mesh_terms: D003201:Computers; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Behavioral momentum theory; Computer task; Humans; Reinforcement rate; Relapse; Resistance to change; Resurgence