The effects of different amounts of training on the resistance to extinction of different patterns of partially reinforced responses.

Abstract

Rats were trained to traverse a runway and jump to a modified single-window jumping stand. The Ss were divided at random into 4 groups. The A-7 group was given alternating reinforcement for 7 days. The A-14 group was given alternating reinforcement for 14 days. 2 other goups were trained with random reinforcement, R-7 group for 7 days and R-14group for 14 days. The A-14 group was significantly less resistant to extinction than the 3 other groups which did not differ from each other. The results were interpreted as contrary to 3 of the major reinforcement formulations and consonant with deductions derivable from the discrimination hypothesis.