Discrimination behavior in the rat: Differential effects of reinforcement and nonreinforcement
Abstract
Gave information to a total of 12 male Sprague-Dawley albino rats in 3 experiments about the location of reinforcement and nonreinforcement. Ss then performed a discrimination task choosing among reinforced, nonreinforced, and a 3rd location. In all cases, avoidance of nonreinforcement was substantially greater than approach to reinforcement, indicating the crucial role of nonreinforcement in directing this discrimination behavior. Results of introducing a 50-min delay between information and discrimination trials and presenting other combinations of information confirm these conclusions. (23 ref.)