Effect of transitions from nonreinforced to reinforced trials under spaced-trial conditions.

Abstract

2 groups of 11 rats each were trained to traverse a straight alley under partial reinforcement, the intertrial interval being 20 min. in acquisition and extinction. For Group SA (single alternation) the number of transitions from nonreinforced to reinforced trials was greater than for Group R (random training). Group SA was considerably more resistant to extinction than Group R. Since these results are consistent with deductions available from the Hull-Sheffield hypothesis, it was concluded that they offer a basis for assuming that aftereffects remain functional for at least 20 min. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)