Partial reinforcement: A selective review of the alleyway literature since 1960.

Abstract

Studies using rats in an alleyway are reviewed with regard to the partial reinforcement acquisition and extinction effects. The magnitude of these effects is complicated by the fact that certain variables have differential effects depending on whether the rat is given a partial or a continuous reinforcement schedule. Three major theoretical positions, dissonance, frustration, and habituation of competing responses, are shown to encounter difficulties with a considerable body of data. It is suggested that extensions and modifications of Capaldi's sequential theory, which handled most aspects of the extinction effect, may prove to be a viable theoretical alternative.

The partial reinforcement effect sustained through blocks of continuous water reinforcement

“…In both cases, the effect was very strong. The obtained PREE agrees with the many studies using either food (Robbins, 1971) or sucrose reward (Likely, Little, & Mackintosh, 1971;Tombaugh, McCloskey, & Tombaugh, 1971), as well as with the water studies cited earlier (Gray et ai, 1972;Jenkins & Rigby, 1950;King, 1972;Wilson et aI., 1955). The sustained PRE obtained in this study supports and extends similar findings obtained with food reward (Jenkins, 1962;Leung & Jensen, 1968;Sutherland, Mackintosh, & Wolf, 1965;Theios, 1962).…”

Observation of the behavior of rats running to reward and nonreward in an alleyway ...

“…Bindra, 1963;Marx & Brownstein, 1963;McCoy & Marx, 1965). Further, it is sometimes reported that specific categories of behavior seen earlier in acquisition are particularly likely in extinction, though it is not clear whether the range of behavior is extended in extinction (Hull, 1934;Kello, should increase resistance to extinction (see Amsel, 1972, for a similar prediction, and Bindra, 1961 (Robbins, 1971 Amsel, 1958Amsel, , 1972Estes, 1959;Weinstock, 1954). Several studies, inspired by the frustration theory (Amsel, 1958) or "habituation" (Weinstock, 1954) …”

Acquisition and extinction in the runway as a joint function of constant reward magnitude and constant reward delay

“…These are available from previous trials for eonditioning to the instrumental response, even at 24-h intertrial intervals, if that response is followed by re ward (Capaldi, 1970, pp. 361·367;Robbins, 1971). Resistanee to extinction increases as reward gets smaller and delay gets longer because the associated stimuli become more like nonreward at small magnitudes and long delays.…”