Psychophysiological responses to fixed-ratio reinforcement

Abstract

GSR, heart rate, respiration, forearm muscle potential, and volume pulse of the finger were recorded for six human Ss during 7 sessions in which a simple operant task was performed under a fixed-ratio schedule of positive reinforcement. Physiological response to reinforcement was assessed by comparison of responses to reinforced lever presses with responses to non-reinforced lever presses. All Ss showed a very consistent GSR to reinforcement. Among the remaining physiological variables the only reliable responses to reinforcement were a volume pulse decrease in two Ss, an increase of forearm tension in one S, and some suggestion of a decrease in respiration duration in four Ss.