scholarly journals Tests of frustration theory extended to the generalized PRE

1970 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Waters ◽  
Paul D. Knott
Keyword(s):  
Frustration Theory

The integrative value of concepts in frustration theory.

1959 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman R. F. Maier ◽  
Paul Ellen
Keyword(s):  
Frustration Theory

scholarly journals An experimental test of a “frustration” theory of reminiscence

1967 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 333-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Costello ◽  
William Discipio
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Test ◽  
Frustration Theory

Note on Frustration Theory and the Partial Reinforcement Effect following a Few Acquisition Trials

1971 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-82
Author(s):  
A. M. Padilla
Keyword(s):  
Partial Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Acquisition Training ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Frustration Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Acquisition Process ◽  
Early Acquisition

Frustration theory (Amsel, 1958) is unable to explain partial reinforcement effects following limited acquisition training. It is suggested that attempts to explain these findings may have implications for conditioning theories in general, and that more attention should be given to the early acquisition process.

Preference for Predictable Small Rewards over Unpredictable Larger Rewards

1984 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 467-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gene D. Steinhauer
Keyword(s):  
Reward Magnitude ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Frustration Theory ◽  
Equal Frequency ◽  
Theory Analysis ◽  
Clear Preference ◽  
Avoidance Tendency ◽  
Discrimination Procedure ◽  
Two Alternatives ◽  
Reinforcement Procedure

Numerous prior studies have reported that rats, pigeons, and humans prefer predictable over unpredictable rewards of equal frequency and magnitude. A frustration-theory analysis of this preference suggests that it obtains because the unpredictable partial reinforcement procedure is aversive whereas the predictable discrimination procedure loses its aversiveness. The preference, on such an analysis, arises due to the tendency to avoid the unpredictable of two alternatives. Since frustration varies as a function of magnitude of reward, the avoidance tendency should increase with increases in reward magnitude in the unpredictable alternative. One group of rats in the present study showed a clear preference for seven versus five 45-mg Noyes Pellets. A second group showed the oft reported preference for five pellets predictable versus five pellets unpredictable. A third group of rats showed a preference for a five-pellet predictable reward over a seven-pellet unpredictable reward. The results of this experiment provide evidence for a frustration-theory analysis of the preference for predictable reward.

Behavioural Contrast in Discrete-Trial Discriminations: Effects of Non-Reinforcement

1975 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Euan M. Macphail
Keyword(s):  
Response Rates ◽  
Simultaneous Presentation ◽  
Fixed Interval ◽  
Frustration Theory ◽  
Simultaneous Discrimination ◽  
Positive Trial ◽  
Discrete Trial ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Frequent Response ◽  
Critical Requirement

Six pigeons performed an acquisition and three reversals of a discrete trial simultaneous discrimination in which responses to the positive key were reinforced on a fixed-interval 5-s schedule; trials were terminated by either a response to the negative key or the delivery of a reinforcement. In the initial stage of acquisition and each reversal, where errors were most frequent, response rates rose and latencies fell on positive trials; these effects declined as errors decreased. The birds were also run in two yoked control conditions, and results showed that the critical requirement for the positive trial rate and latency changes was neither the simultaneous presentation of two stimuli nor the formation of a discrimination, but the occurrence of non-reinforced responses. The similarity of these phenomena to conventional behavioural contrast is emphasized, and the results are discussed in terms of frustration theory.

Effects of Drive and Partial Reinforcement on Extinction Both between and within Daily Sessions

1970 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 875-885
Author(s):  
William P. Dunlap ◽  
Lawrence Dachowski
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Partial Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Straight Alley ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Frustration Theory ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Reinforcement Effect ◽  
Low Speed

40 albino rats were assigned randomly to the cells of a 2 × 2 factorial design consisting of per cent reinforcement (50% and 100%) by deprivation (high and low). Speed measures were obtained from two segments of a straight-alley runway for 80 acquisition and 56 extinction trials with 4 trials given per day. Deprivation effects were found over the closely spaced trials within daily sessions for both acquisition and extinction. In extinction the interaction of drive and per cent reinforcement within daily sessions lends support to a frustration-theory explanation of extinction behavior. The lack of deprivation-produced differences in the size of the partial reinforcement effect over days is also consistent with this explanation.

Extinction of a Runway Response following Runway or Goal Box Partial Reinforcement

1967 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wilton
Keyword(s):  
Reinforcement Schedule ◽  
Straight Runway ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Frustration Theory ◽  
Partial Reinforcement Extinction Effect ◽  
Consistent Reinforcement

Rats were trained on a consistent reinforcement schedule in a straight runway. They were then switched to one of two partial reinforcement procedures. One group continued to run the full length of the runway, another was placed directly in the goal box. When extinguished in the full length of the runway both groups were more resistant to extinction than groups trained only on consistent reinforcement. An attempt was made to delineate the conditions for a demonstration of the partial reinforcement extinction effect. The results were discussed in relation to frustration theory.

Secondary Reinforcement and Frustration

1963 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon H. Bower
Keyword(s):  
Food Reward ◽  
Secondary Reinforcement ◽  
Chain Condition ◽  
Frustration Theory ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Conventional Tests ◽  
Long Chain ◽  
Reward Effects ◽  
Secondary Reinforcing

It was pointed out that conventional tests for secondary reinforcement are also theoretically optimal conditions for the production of aversive frustration. Hence, positive demonstrations of secondary reinforcement create a paradox for frustration theory. A resolution of this paradox is offered in terms of the chain of behavior cued off by the secondary reinforcing stimulus. The analysis implies that secondary reward effects will be maintained longer the longer is the chain of behavior cued off by stimuli presented following the to-be-learned response. To test this prediction, rats were first trained to run an alley for food reward. Subsequently, they learned to press a lever to get out of the start box; Ss in the Short-chain condition exited directly into the goal box, whereas Ss in the Long-chain condition ran through the alley to the goal box. Sixty tests were given with food reward omitted from the goal box. As predicted, the bar pressing performance of the Long-chain Ss was consistently superior to that of the Short-chain Ss.

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