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Abstract

This experiment investigated the relationship between covert and overt aversive stimuli at two intensities, and suppression of operant behaviour. Subjects were positively reinforced for responding on two manipulanda. A picture of the manipulandum that the subject pressed most frequently was paired with one of two intensities (high and low) of the covert and overt aversive stimuli. The results indicated that stimuli of high intensity suppressed responding more than those of low intensity on the preferred manipulandum. No differences between covert and overt stimuli were found. On the nonpreferred manipulandum the intensity effect was nonsignificant. Covert stimuli did, however, result in greater increased responding on that manipulandum than the overt stimuli.

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Suppression of Operant Responding with Overt and Covert Aversive Stimuli of High and Low Intensity

Abstract

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