Acquisition of leverpressing without experimenter assistance by rats on differential reinforcement of low-rate schedules

Abstract

Rats can acquire a continuously reinforced leverpressing response without experimenter assistance. In the present study, acquisition of responding on a more complex schedule, differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL), was examined. In a DRL schedule, successive responses are reinforced only if a minimum period of time has elapsed between successive responses. Twelve rats were placed directly on DRL 7.5, 15, and 30 sec. Eleven of 12 rats acquired leverpressing without experimenter assistance. Efficiency of responding was inversely related to DRL value.