Perseveration and summation of the frustration effect.

Abstract

Eighty-nine rats received 105 trials in a triple alley comprised of 3 alleys (A1,A2, A3) in a series. Reward was occasionally omitted on some trials either at the end of A1, A2 or in both A1, and A2. Comparisons were made between speeds in A2 and A3 on nonreinf orced trials and speeds of consistently non-reinforced control groups. Contrary to the interpretations of previous data it was determined that: the effects of two consecutive nonrein-forcements do not summate, the effects of an A1 nonreinforcement do not perseverate beyond the next reinforcement into A3. It was further shown that previous data regarding summation and perseveration were probably due to the confounded factor of response depression on reinforced trials that were controlled for in the present study. Finally, a frustrative nonreinforcement was found not to produce facilitation if more than 2 reinforcements are regularly received on nontest trials. The results are discussed in relation to past findings and the limits they place on current theories of frustrative nonreward.