Date of Graduation
2003
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
Committee Chair
Kennon A. Lattal
Abstract
This study examined the effects of response-independent delivery of same vs. qualitatively different food than the reinforcer on rats' lever pressing. During baselines, a variable-interval schedule delivered either pellets or milk. A fixed-time schedule then was superimposed which delivered either response-independent pellets or milk. The order of reinforcer and responseindependent food presentation was counterbalanced across subjects, such that in four different conditions each rat was exposed to each combination of reinforcer and response-independent food presentations. Similarity of the response-independent food to the reinforcer did not differentially disrupt response rates. Response-independent milk decreased response rates more than response-independent pellets. Postreinforcement pausing following a reinforcer was generally longer than pausing following response-independent food delivery when the variableinterval and fixed-time schedules delivered qualitatively different foods. Such pausing was undifferentiated when both schedules delivered the same food. The similarity of the responseindependent food to the reinforcer exerted differential control over postreinforcement pausing, but not over response rates or patterns of responding.
Recommended Citation
Milo, Jessie-Sue, "The effects of superimposing the same vs. qualitatively different food on responding maintained by a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement." (2003). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 10773.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10773