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FIXED‐INTERVAL LIMITED‐HOLD AVOIDANCE WITH AND WITHOUT SIGNALLED REINFORCEMENT 1
Author(s) -
Black R. E.,
Walters Gary C.,
Webster C. D.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of the experimental analysis of behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.75
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1938-3711
pISSN - 0022-5002
DOI - 10.1901/jeab.1972.17-75
Subject(s) - reinforcement , discriminative model , psychology , stimulus control , stimulus (psychology) , schedule , lever , cognitive psychology , artificial intelligence , social psychology , neuroscience , computer science , nicotine , operating system , physics , quantum mechanics
Rats trained to lever press on a fixed‐interval limited‐hold avoidance schedule maintained a pattern of responding similiar to that maintained by fixed‐interval limited‐hold schedules of positive reinforcement. But this positively accelerated pattern of behavior was maintained only when the occurrence of reinforcement was signalled by the presentation of a brief flash of light. This result suggests that the discriminative function of the reinforcer in avoidance is less pronounced than the discriminative function of the reinforcer in escape or positive reinforcement. It also suggests that the distinction between positive reinforcement and avoidance is not superfluous. Although the schedule of reinforcement is an important variable in determining the pattern of behavior, other variables, such as the nature ( i.e. , stimulus presentation, termination, or omission) of the reinforcer, are also potent determinants of behavior.