The Role Of Positive Conditioned Reinforcement In The Maintenance Of Keypecking Which Prevents Delivery Of Primary Reinforcement
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-1972
Published In
Psychonomic Science
Abstract
When a pecking key is briefly illuminated prior to the presentation of a grain reinforcer, keypecking is reliably developed and maintained in pigeons, even when pecking extinguishes the keylifeht and prevents reinforcement (negative automaintenance). This experiment assessed the role of response-produced key offset as a possible conditioned positive reinforcer of keypecking. Pigeons responded in a substantial proportion of the trials (50%–66%) on a procedure in which key illumination coterminated with reinforcer availability, and in which keypecks prevented reinforcement but did not extinguish the keylight. Thus, the notion that negative automaintenance keypecking is a function of conditioned positive reinforcement must be rejected.
Recommended Citation
Barry Schwartz.
(1972).
"The Role Of Positive Conditioned Reinforcement In The Maintenance Of Keypecking Which Prevents Delivery Of Primary Reinforcement".
Psychonomic Science.
Volume 28,
Issue 5.
277-278.
DOI: 10.3758/BF03328738
https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-psychology/765