Effects of Pairing Electric Shock with Reinforcement Delivered on a Variable-Interval Schedule

Abstract

Gradually increased electric shock was superimposed on responding maintained on a VI 60-sec. schedule of reinforcement. Shock was contingent upon the reinforcement producing response and preceded reinforcement delivery. Following total response suppression, shock was removed and then reintroduced at selected intensities. The previously observed monotonic linear relationship between rate of responding and shock intensity was not recorded. Rather, post-reinforcement response bursts and two distinct patterns of response facilitation emerged.