Effects of random reinforcement sequences

Abstract

Rats were exposed to a random sequence of reinforcement on two levers, such that there was no way to predict from the previous reinforcement which lever would deliver reinforcement next. The rats showed a tendency to repeat the choice that had just produced reinforcement, despite the absence of an overall contingency that differentially reinforced such repetition. However, this tendency decreased with continued exposure to the schedule. Runs of successive reinforcements on a lever increased the probability of pressing that lever, but only slightly, and only in the earlier phases of training. The more quickly a press was made after reinforcement the more likely it was to be on the lever that had delivered that reinforcement. Repetition of choice followed by reinforcement should be viewed as a naturally occurring behavior in the rat, but not necessarily as a behavior that will continue without differential reinforcement of repetition.