Abstract
The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the extent to which microwave radiation would reinforce operant behavior in a cold environment. A reversal-design with the single subject serving as its own control was used for testing the reinforcing properties of microwaves. Six albino rats were conditioned to produce 6-sec. pulses of microwave radiation within a refrigerated environment. The schedule of reinforcement was continuous (erf). Each lever press produced a 6-sec. output of microwave radiation. The intensity of radiation was varied across blocks of sessions in the reversal design. Microwave values used were as follows: 62.5 W, 125 W, 250 W, and 437.5 W. Sessions lasted from 8 to 9 hr. over an approximate 7-mo. period. Results showed that rates of operant responding varied as a direct function of microwave intensity. Relatively high mean rates were associated with moderate microwave intensity (250 W), whereas lower mean rates of responding were associated with extreme microwave intensities (62.5 W and 437.5 W) in the reversal design. These data are explained in terms of satiation and deprivation of the reinforcing value of microwave radiation.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.