| Abstract: | Examined the conditions under which presenting a signal for reinforcement decreases or increases the rate of leverpressing in rats. Response rate on a variable-interval (VI) schedule of reinforcement was decreased by a brief signal for reinforcement. In Experiment 1, requiring 1 short IRT to occur on completion of the VI requirement attenuated this response decrement. Requiring three responses to be emitted within a minimum amount of time at the end of the VI resulted in the reinforcement signal's enhancement of response rates. Experiment 2 replicated this increase in responding and showed that the reinforcement signal attenuated response rates on a simple VI schedule that yielded the same overall rate of reinforcement. In Experiment 3, the reinforcement signal enhanced response rates when 3 responses were required at the end of a VI schedule, but the signal attenuated response rates when the 3 responses could occur at any time in relation to the VI. These results suggest that the pattern of responding emitted immediately prior to reinforcement is a critical factor in determining the effect of reinforcement signal on response rate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
