Graduate Theses

Date of Award

Summer 8-1983

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Supervisory Committee Chair

J. Greenspan, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

James Olson, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Robert Rothstein, Ph.D.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of seven continuous reinforcement sessions interpolated after varying numbers of FR-25 sessions on extinction responses during extinction of three groups of rats. Rats received 7, 14, or 21 sessions of FR-25 followed by 7 sessions of continuous reinforcement and 7 days of extinction. There were three rats in each group. All sessions were 25 minutes long. Results showed rats that received FR-25 for 21 sessions were more resistant to extinction than any other group, measured by the cumulative number of responses during extinction. Cumulative rates of extinction responses for Groups 1 and 2 were not as clear. However, when the groups were compared by individual group responses per day, the group that received FR-25 for 7 sessions. Although the differences were small, this study suggested that interpolated continuous reinforcement may not have had an effect on extinction responses when rats received a large number of prior FR-25 reinforcements.

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