Resistance to extinction as a function of sequence of intertrial nonreinforcement and level of acquisition

Abstract

Two experiments investigated the effects of differential level of acquisition training on resistance to extinction generated by intertrial nonreinforcement (lTN). In Experiment 1, four groups received 18 acquisition trials: One group received a nonreinforced placement after 50% of the six daily reinforced trials (placement N-Iength of 1, Group ITN-1), a second group received three consecutive nonreinforced placements after one of the six daily reinforced trials (placement N-Iengths of 3, Group ITN-3), a third group received a 50% partial reinforcement schedule (Group PRF), and a fourth group received continuous reinforcement (Group CRF). In Experiment 2, the ITN-1, ITN-3, and PRF conditions were again used in an identical procedure except that 48 acquisition trials were given. Following limited acquisition, Group ITN-3 was less resistant to extinction than Group ITN-1, while the reverse was true following extended training. These results suggest that sequence of placements, rather than simply their presence or absence, is an important factor in determining resistance to extinction.