The effect of noncontingent fixed- and variable-interval reinforcement upon subsequent acquisition of the fixed-interval scallop

Abstract Groups of rats received either no pretraining (Group N), pretraining with noncontingent FI-2 min. reinforcement (Group FI), or pretraining with noncontingent VI-2 min. reinforcement (Group VI) prior to learning to bar press on a FI-2 min. reinforcement schedule. The FI scallop was acquired...
Ausführliche Beschreibung

Abstract Groups of rats received either no pretraining (Group N), pretraining with noncontingent FI-2 min. reinforcement (Group FI), or pretraining with noncontingent VI-2 min. reinforcement (Group VI) prior to learning to bar press on a FI-2 min. reinforcement schedule. The FI scallop was acquired most rapidly by Group FI and least rapidly by Group VI. Moreover, FI pretraining led to faster acquisition of both low post-reinforcement response rates and high pre-reinforcement response rates than VI pretraining. Ausführliche Beschreibung