Lever-Pressing Performance for Brain Stimulation on F-I and V-I Schedules in a Single-Lever Situation

Abstract

Rats were trained to lever press for electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB) and ultimately were assigned to either a fixed interval 1 min. (FI-1 min.) or a variable interval 1 min. (VI-1 min.) schedule of reinforcement. All Ss easily attained and maintained responding on the schedule to which they had been assigned. Patterns of responding during training and extinction were similar to those observed when conventional rewards, such as food or water, are used. Fixed-interval Ss demonstrated scalloped responding; variable-interval Ss demonstrated steady rates of responding. The implications of these results for understanding ESB as a reward are discussed.