Intertrial Procedures and Resistance to Extinction

Abstract

The effects of intertrial-placement and -running to reward or nonreward on resistance to extinction were investigated within a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design in which first trial reward condition (R or N), intertrial treatment (run or place), and intertrial reward condition (R or N) were the three factors. The 48 albino rats were given two acquisition trials daily for 8 days with the intertrial treatments separating the two daily trials. The second daily trial was always rewarded. In extinction, 3 trials were given each day for 12 days. The extinction results indicated that placement to reward or nonreward, and not the shortened ITI resulting from the placement procedure, was the critical factor in the reduction or enhancement of resistance to extinction that was produced by direct goalbox placements. The data also suggested that rewarded placements were more effective in reducing resistance to extinction than nonrewarded placements were in enhancing resistance to extinction. The results were interpreted within Capaldi's modified aftereffects theory.

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