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.
Influences of the partial reinforcement effect due to changes in visual stimuli at the onset of extinction were evaluated. Following blocking of the learned response, changes in stimuli in the apparatus reduced perseveration during extinction. The greatest effect was observed when a single stimulus change occurred. Redundant changes had progressively reduced influence.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.