Previous studies have demonstrated that neutral objects (such as nonsense syllables) may acquire rewarding and punishing properties through association with the gain or loss of rewards. Furthermore, these objects are then capable of eliciting numerous responses (e.g., attentional, affective, cognitive) which reflect the attributes conditioned to them. This effect has been termed conditioned reward value, and prior investigations have examined some of the parameters of the conditioning and of the resultant behaviors (e.g., Nunnally, Duchnowski, & Parker, 1965; Nunnally, Stevens, & Hall, 1965; Parker & Nunnally, 1966;.The present study is concerned with the effects that a partial schedule of reward introduces to conditioned reward value, in comparison to the effects produced by a continuous schedule of reward. Four nonsense syllables were employed in a discrimination task, each with a different reward contingency:, 100% reward, 50% reward, no reward (neutral), and loss of reward. Subsequently, measures were made of the "pleasantness" that these syllables had acquired as a result of the associations. In addition, measures were made of S's expectancy that further rewards would be associated with the different syllables.Three possible outcomes of this experiment have implications for three theoretical positions regarding the effect of a partial schedule of reward on conditioned reward value. The most explicit prediction follows from the literature on classical conditioning. The prediction is that the partially rewarded syllable will acquire pleasantness in an absolute sense (Le., it will be more pleasant than the neutral syllable) but will be distinctly less pleasant than the continuously rewarded syllable.If the partially rewarded syllable proved to be unpleasant, this finding could not be rationalized by the literature on classical conditioning. It could, however, easily be rationalized by theories of frustration relating to partial schedules (e.g., Amsel, 1962;Longstreth, 1966). The frustration (an aversive emotion) occurring on non-rewarded trials could, supposedly, "rub ofr' on the syllable associated with the partial SChedule.If the partially rewarded syllable proved to be even more pleasant than the continuously rewarded syllable, this could not be rationalized by either of the aforementioned two theoretical positions, but (like so many odd findings) it would fit nicely with the theory of cognitive dissonance. Festinger (1964) hypothesized that on the non-rewarded trials of a partial schedule the animal seeks "extra attractions" in the area of the goal box. Such extra attractions supposedly reduce the dissonance resulting from not obtaining an expected reward. Since, in the present experimental procedure, the syllable associated with the partial schedule is the logical candidate to become such an extra attraction, it would not be incommensurate with cognitive dissonance theory to find that the syllable became more pleasant than one associated with continuous reward.The purpose of this experiment was to provid...
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