Relation of Differential Reinforcement Histories to Selective Learning and Differential Consummatory Activity

Abstract

The purpose was to study the relation of past history of reinforcement to selective learning and rate of reinforcement. Prior research suggested that there is a preference for a slow rare of reinforcement when amount is held constant; however, rate of reinforcement has been confounded with consummatory activity. In this study, amount of consummatory activity and amount of reward were held constant while varying the rate of reinforcement. The results suggest that a preference for a slow rate results from increased consummatory activity rather than from differences in rate of reinforcement.