An investigation of the partial reinforcement extinction effect in humans and corresponding changes in physiological variables

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Human subject’s heart rate and skin conductance were monitored during periods of acquisition and extinction. During acquisition, subjects received either 100% or 50% reinforcement for correct responses. The behavioral data indicated that subjects exposed to partial reinforcement were more persistent than subjects exposed to continuous reinforcement. Significant increases in skin conductance were observed at the start of acquisition and extinction, but there were no differences between the two reinforcement groups. These data are reviewed with respect to Amsel’s frustration-mediation hypothesis of persistence.