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Abstract

Rate of extinction and number of food cup responses were measured in rats given varying numbers of goal box cues during pre-extinction. Forty-five food-deprived rats were given equal acquisition in a T-maze with a clicking feeder and divided randomly into three groups according to number of goal box cues presented during pre-extinction (Group I, neutral box; Group II, goal box; Group III, goal box plus clicks). Analysis of variance of correct turns and running time data revealed that Group II Ss extinguished faster than Group I and III Ss, and Groups I and III did not differ significantly. These results suggested that strong goal box stimuli (clicks) have not only the capacity to elicit fractional anticipatory goal responses, but also an excitatory (reinforcing) capacity functioning independently of the r_g eliciting capacity.

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Effect of Number of Goal Box Cues on ‘Latent Extinction’

Abstract

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References