Differential conditioning extinction, and secondary reinforcement.

Abstract

The present study was concerned with secondary reinforcement effects in extinction. Eighty-two rats were given differential conditioning in a pair of straight alleys. For each S one alley (black or white) was positive (a sucrose solution reward in goal box) while the other was negative. Following 42 acquisition trials, Ss were divided into 4 groups. G++ was extinguished in the previously positive alley and G- - in the negative alley. G- + was extinguished in an alley consisting of the positive runway (RW) and negative goal box (GB), while for G- + the RW was negative and the GB positive. Starting, running, and goal-box speeds were recorded. G - + showed the slowest rate of extinction, while extinction was generally fastest for G + -. G++ and G- - were intermediate. These results were interpreted as contrary to the conventional concept of secondary reinforcement and an alternative formulation was suggested.