La extinción del contexto aumenta el consumo del reforzador pero no afecta al contraste negativo sucesivo consumatorio en ratas

Abstract

This work studied the role of the contextual on consummatory responding and on the successive negative contrast effect. Rats were given access to sucrose solutions for 5 min under two conditions: During preshift (10 sessions), half of the rats were given access to a high-value reward (32% sucrose solution) and the rest to a low-value reward (4% sucrose solution). During postshift (8 sessions), all rats received the low-value reward. During preshift half of the rats in each group were withdrawn from the conditioning box immediately after the 5-min period, whereas the rest remained in the box for an additional 5-min nonreinforced period. Groups given nonreinforced exposure to the context consumed more than control groups. However, nonreinforced exposure to the context did not affect the size of the successive negative contrast effect. These results are discussed in relation to the issue of contextual control of consummatory behavior and Amselis Frustration Theory (1992).