Resistance to Extinction: A Test of the Discrimination Hypothesis

1978 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Dubanoski ◽  
Howard R. Weiner
Keyword(s):  
Partial Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Sequential Analysis ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Initial Training ◽  
Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Continuous Reinforcement ◽  
Resistance To Extinction ◽  
Discrimination Hypothesis

To test the discrimination hypothesis of the partial reinforcement effect in extinction, partial or continuous reinforcement trials were interpolated between the initial training trials of partial or continuous reinforcement and the extinction period. 112 children from Grades 2 and 3 participated in one of four conditions. Children receiving two consecutive blocks of partial reinforcement showed the greatest resistance to extinction, children receiving two consecutive blocks of continuous reinforcement showed the weakest resistance, and those receiving partial reinforcement followed by continuous reinforcement or vice versa showed intermediate levels of resistance. Discrimination between training and extinction does not seem to be the critical factor involved in the partial reinforcement effect. The results were discussed in terms of a stimulus analyzer or a sequential analysis model.

Partial Reinforcement Effect under Odor Control

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Prytula ◽  
Cecil C. Bridges ◽  
H. R. Anderson ◽  
Larry C. Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Partial Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Straight Runway ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Odor Control ◽  
Continuous Reinforcement ◽  
Partial Schedule ◽  
Resistance To Extinction

4 groups ( ns = 10) of albino rats were given 40 acquisition and 25 extinction trials in a straight runway under one of the following conditions: (1) continuous reinforcement with an exhaust fan operative; (2) continuous reinforcement with exhaust fan operating but blocked from exhausting; (3) partial reinforcement with exhaust fan operating but blocked, and (4) partial reinforcement with exhaust fan operative. The results imply that exhausting odor(s) under a partial schedule increases running speeds during acquisition and resistance to extinction. The study points to important methodological implications for partial reinforcement research.

N-Length and Intertrial Reward

1970 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 1007-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean L. Fixsen ◽  
Susan Swick Mc Bee ◽  
Patrick E. Campbell ◽  
Charles M. Crumbaugh
Keyword(s):  
Partial Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Partial Reward ◽  
Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Resistance To Extinction

2 experiments investigating the effects of intertrial reward on resistance to extinction following partial reward schedules containing N-lengths (number of consecutive nonrewards preceding a rewarded trial) of 1, 2, or 3. It was found that intertrial rewards completely eliminated the partial reinforcement effect for all N-lengths when run times were considered but had no effect on goal times. These data were discussed in terms of their relevance to the modified aftereffects hypothesis and previous investigations of intertrial reward.

Effects of Partial Reinforcement on Speed of Approach Responses in Goldfish (Carassius Auratus)

1968 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 741-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Boitano ◽  
Mary Day Foskett
Keyword(s):  
Partial Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Carassius Auratus ◽  
Straight Alley ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Relative Influence ◽  
Distributed Practice ◽  
Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Resistance To Extinction ◽  
Goldfish Carassius Auratus

Under widely distributed practice in a straight alley, partially reinforced goldfish did not exhibit greater resistance to extinction than consistently reinforced animals. The relative influence of equating trials or reinforcements in generating the partial reinforcement effect could not be evaluated since the partially reinforced Ss were significantly less resistant than either the equated-reinforcement Ss or the equated-trials Ss.

Perseveration of the Partial Reinforcement Effect in Extinction with Rats over Two Phases of Extinction and Two Stages of Continuous Reinforcement

2007 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard S. Calef ◽  
Michael C. Choban ◽  
Katherine R. Glenney ◽  
Ruth A. Calef ◽  
Erik Schmitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Partial Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Straight Alley ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
The Other ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Continuous Reinforcement ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Two Stages

One group of 10 male albino rats was given partial reinforcement while the other 10 rats received continuous reinforcement in a straight alley. Subjects then experienced five consecutive stages of Extinction 1, Continuous Reinforcement 1, Extinction 2, Continuous Reinforcement 2, and finally, Extinction 3. Analysis showed the partial reinforcement effect in extinction was sustained over two stages of extinction and two stages of continuous reinforcement, since subjects receiving partial reinforcement ran faster than rats given continuous reinforcement throughout all three of the extinction periods. The results seem to support those of Amsel's (1967) and Capaldi's (1967) theoretical formulations of the partial reinforcement effect in extinction.

Deprivation Level, Competing Responses, and the Pre

1966 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Mikulka ◽  
William B. Pavlik
Keyword(s):  
Food Deprivation ◽  
Partial Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Deprivation Level ◽  
Straight Runway ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Reinforcement Schedules ◽  
Running Speed ◽  
Continuous Reinforcement ◽  
Competing Responses

Rats were given 60 acquisition and 32 extinction trials in a straight runway. A 3 × 2 factorial design was employed, combining 3 levels of food deprivation with continuous and partial reinforcement schedules. The principal results were: (a) The magnitude of the partial reinforcement effect during extinction increased with increased food deprivation. (b) The major effects of deprivation during extinction were upon the performance of Ss on partial reinforcement; there was relatively little effect on the performance of continuous reinforcement Ss. (c) The frequency of competing responses differed among the experimental groups during both acquisition and extinction and generally was inversely related to running speed.

Effect of Partial Reinforcement on the Extinction of a Blocked Response

1968 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 475-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack I. Bradley ◽  
Walter A. Nagle ◽  
Girard V. Smith ◽  
Peter R. Welgan
Keyword(s):  
Partial Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Reinforcement Schedule ◽  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Ratio Schedule ◽  
Variable Ratio ◽  
Initial Training ◽  
Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Schedule Of Reinforcement ◽  
Partial Extinction

These experiments assessed (a) the Partial Reinforcement Effect (PRE) when extinction was measured by the perseverative behavior following the blocking of a learned maze route and (b) the effects of two conditions of partial extinction on the same perseverative behavior. Initial training of the rat Ss varied in both number of trials and reinforcement schedule. Perseverative behavior was evaluated by recording cumulative errors. The results indicated that the perseverative behavior increased with an increase in the number of training trials. Perseverative behavior was also observed to be greatest following 100% rather than a ratio schedule of reinforcement, a fixed ratio resulting in greater perseveration than a variable ratio. When 10 nonreinforced trials or 10 nonreinforced goal placements followed 100% reinforced training, the perseverative behavior following blocking was reduced. These results indicate that the typical PRE which has been observed (when the extinction series includes the performance of the instrumental act) is dependent on the stimulus cues provided by the change in reinforcement schedule.

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