Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
2000
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
Michael Perone.
Committee Co-Chair
Kennon A. Lattal
Committee Member
Stanley H. Cohen
Abstract
Session-reduction procedures have been employed to assess molar control of avoidance responding. By conceptualizing session reduction as a delayed timeout from avoidance, the present study investigated the limits of molar control while minimizing several methodological limitations inherent in such procedures. Six times during each session, a two-link chain schedule was superimposed on a baseline schedule of variable-cycle shock avoidance. Completion of the initial link (fixed-ratio 10 schedule) produced a timeout following a signaled delay during which the avoidance schedule remained operative. For most rats, the delay was manipulated across conditions from 0 s to 60 s. Control by the delayed timeout was indicated by elevated initial-link responding relative to baseline avoidance responding. Reliable initial-link elevations were obtained only when the timeout was presented immediately upon the completion of the initial link. These findings cast doubt on previous interpretations of session-reduction as molar reinforcement, and underscore the importance of response-reinforcer contiguity.
Recommended Citation
Galuska, Chad Michael, "Limits of sensitivity to delayed timeout from avoidance" (2000). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 870.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/870