Persistent Resistance to Extinction of Single Alternating Reinforcement after Long Acquisition-Extinction Interval

Six groups of rats varying in reinforcement sequence [single alternation (A), random (R), or continuous (C) as a control] and interval between acquisition and extinction [A-E interval one day or 23 days] received extended acquisition and then extinction in a straight alleyway. Patterning effect during acquisition was not clearly demonstrated in Group A. Under one-day condition, the partial reinforcement extinction effect (PRE) was found, and Group R was more resistant to extinction than was Group A. After 23 days, however, Group R was found to be less resistant than Group A, although PRE was again found. These unexpected results on resistance can be exclusively attributable to the fact that the performance of Group A was not affected by the lapse of time, unlike the performances of Groups R and C. These findings cannot be consistently interpreted by the N-length assumption of the stimulus-aftereffect hypothesis. A further possibility of interpretation was discussed in consideration of the peculiarity of aftereffects produced by alternating schedule

Alternation (linguistics · Audiology · Combinatorics · Extinction (optical mineralogy · Interval (graph theory · Optics · Physics · Reinforcement · Behavioral and Psychological Studies · Mathematics · Medicine · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology

• Pattern Memory and Resistance to Extinction in Double Alternating Reinforcement

  Masato Ishida•The Journal of General Psychology•1983

  Add to list

• Partial reinforcement

  Donald Robbins•Psychological Bulletin•1971

  Add to list

• The Effects of Distribution Pattern of Partial Reinforcement on Resistance to Extinction

  Masato Ishida•The Journal of General Psychology•1978

  Add to list