Extinction as a Function of a Small Number of Partially Reinforced Trials

Abstract

Amsel (1958) and Spence ( 1960) have employed the concept of frustration to account for the partial reinforcement effect (PRE). In these formulations it is considered that development of the fractional anticipatory frustration response (rl) begins after establishment of the classically conditioned fractional anticipatory goal response ( r , ) Greater comparative resistance to extinction by the partially reinforced group is attributed to these Ss having been . trained to respond (approach) in the presence of antedating frustration stimuli, whereas the consistently reinforced Ss have (Amsel, 1958). One prediction from Spence's ( 1960) analysis is that performance by the partially reinforced group should eventually be superior to that of the continuously reinforced group. This superiority is not anticipated, however, until after . a certain number of training trials and must await prior development of r,. Goodrich's (1959) studies are cited in support of this point. A recent scudy by McCain (1960) suggested that the superior level of performance of the partially reinforced group might appear earlier than would be expected from this theory. The present study was designed to provide information regarding arousal of the heightened performance level and its effect on performance both before and during extinction. Secondarily, the extinction phase tests the assumption that the greater resistance to extinction ordinarily associated with partial reinforcement develops only after a number of training trials.