title: Covariation of Quantity and Quality of the Reinforcer in Rats.
abstract: The results of four experiments, involving the manipulation of quantity (number of pellets) and quality (caloric value of each pellet) of the reinforcer with total drive reduction held constant, are reported. Ss were female albino rats (Ns = 20, 30, 30, 20, respectively). Results in both a straight alley and T-maze situation indicated that rats (a) preferred a high quality reinforcer to a low quality reinforcer, (b) preferred a high quantity of low quality food to a low quantity of high quality food, and (c) displayed appropriate performance shifts in favoring quantity. It was concluded that the form of the reinforcer makes a difference in overall incentive value.
authors.affiliation: a Western Washington State College , USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taylor