Quantitative studies of the interaction of simple habits. I. Recovery from specific and generalized effects of extinction.

Abstract

200 albino rats were trained on 2 habits (a) to press a horizontal bar downwards, and (b) to press a vertical bar sideways. Curves of spontaneous recovery and recovery from generalized extinction effects were obtained in terms of mean no. of extinction responses, mean time required to reach the (arbitrary) criterion of extinction used, and mean rate of response. The 1st 2 measures gave negatively accelerated curves for spontaneous recovery. The curves of recovery from generalized extinction effects were roughly parallel to the above, but differed in absolute values. The 3d measure gave ambiguous results.