Patterning effect of the nonreinforcement-reinforcement sequence in a discrimination situation.

Abstract

Groups of rats were trained in a black-white discrimination problem under three different reinforcement schedules: (1) continuous reinforcement, (2) partial reinforcement with nonreinforcement termination, and (3) partial reinforcement with reinforcement termination. After 12 days of training on the original habit, reversal training was given. Results indicate that the group trained in the original habit under partial reinforcement with reinforcement termination showed a significantly slower rate of reversal.