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. 1963 Oct;6(4):519-23.
doi: 10.1901/jeab.1963.6-519.

PARTIAL NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT: FIXED-RATIO ESCAPE

D P HENDRY, L S HENDRY

PARTIAL NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT: FIXED-RATIO ESCAPE

D P HENDRY et al. J Exp Anal Behav. 1963 Oct.

Abstract

Rats were unable to sustain performance when eight bar-presses turned off shock (-FR 8). In a second experiment, thirsty rats were able to maintain a moderate response rate when performance on -FR 8 was also reinforced with water. Some rats continued to bar-press on -FR 8 after withdrawal of positive reinforcement, but at a much lower rate. A possible explanation of the results is that during intermittent escape conditioning in a free-responding situation the absence of shock itself acquires aversive properties.

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References

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