Operant Facilitation During a Pre‐reward Stimulus

Thirty‐two human subjects received contingent or random presentations of a conditioning stimulus (CS) and an unconditioned stimulus (US) whilst working on one of two time‐related baseline schedules of positive reinforcement. The US consisted of a free reward of high or low magnitude. The two levels of each of these three variables were incorporated in a 2 times 2 × 2 factorial design. A response facilitation in the contingent CS–US groups was found. Results are discussed with reference to the difficulties of using simple operant techniques with human subjects

Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Facilitation · Operant conditioning · Reinforcement · Stimulus (psychology) · Stimulus control · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Neuroscience · Psychological Treatments and Assessments · Psychology · Social Psychology