Rats' Preference for the More Effortful of Two Responses as a Function of Prior Experience

Abstract

Three groups of rats were each given 14 days of lever-press training under different conditions. One group was allowed to press only on a FR3 schedule, a second only on a CRF schedule, and a third received alternate-day training on CRF and FR3 schedules. Following training, 4 days of choice tests were given during which animals were allowed to choose between the two schedules of responding. Rats trained on the FR3 schedule both preferred to respond and obtained more rewards on that schedule, while rats in the other 2 groups preferred the CRF schedules. Results indicated that the degree of rats' preference for effortful responding is a function of the conditions of prior training.