Resistance to extinction when continuous reinforcement is followed by partial reinforcement.

1966 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Hothersall
1978 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Dubanoski ◽  
Howard R. Weiner

To test the discrimination hypothesis of the partial reinforcement effect in extinction, partial or continuous reinforcement trials were interpolated between the initial training trials of partial or continuous reinforcement and the extinction period. 112 children from Grades 2 and 3 participated in one of four conditions. Children receiving two consecutive blocks of partial reinforcement showed the greatest resistance to extinction, children receiving two consecutive blocks of continuous reinforcement showed the weakest resistance, and those receiving partial reinforcement followed by continuous reinforcement or vice versa showed intermediate levels of resistance. Discrimination between training and extinction does not seem to be the critical factor involved in the partial reinforcement effect. The results were discussed in terms of a stimulus analyzer or a sequential analysis model.


1972 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Prytula ◽  
Cecil C. Bridges ◽  
H. R. Anderson ◽  
Larry C. Hayes

4 groups ( ns = 10) of albino rats were given 40 acquisition and 25 extinction trials in a straight runway under one of the following conditions: (1) continuous reinforcement with an exhaust fan operative; (2) continuous reinforcement with exhaust fan operating but blocked from exhausting; (3) partial reinforcement with exhaust fan operating but blocked, and (4) partial reinforcement with exhaust fan operative. The results imply that exhausting odor(s) under a partial schedule increases running speeds during acquisition and resistance to extinction. The study points to important methodological implications for partial reinforcement research.


1964 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 563-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wagner H. Bridger ◽  
Thomas Lopez

50 paid volunteer college students were used in a GSR conditioning experiment with electric shock as the UCS. Words were used as stimuli with the CS word embedded among 4 control stimuli. Ss were divided into two groups, partially or continuously reinforced over 25 trials. Part of each group was informed as to the onset of extinction. For the Informed Ss, those continuously reinforced showed greater resistance to extinction than those partially reinforced ( p = .03). For the Uninformed Ss the reverse was true ( p = .02). The results show that informing Ss as to the onset of extinction makes response strength, as measured by resistance to extinction, a positive function of the number of reinforcements.


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