Repeated Operant Response Resurgence with a Peak-Interval Procedure

Abstract

Resurgence is most often defined as the recurrence of previously reinforced behavior during extinction of another, more recently reinforced behavior. It provides a framework for deciphering the origin of operant responses, studying the effects of historical variables, and understanding socially relevant behaviors. The present manuscript proposes a novel procedure that incorporates the peak-interval procedure, typically used to examine temporal control, to examine resurgence repeatedly. Three experimentally naive Long Evans rats were trained using a concurrent variable-interval (VI) 30-s fixed-interval (FI) 30-s schedule, with each schedule programmed on a different lever. After stability was reached, responding under the VI 30-s schedule was extinguished for 15 sessions. A peak-interval procedure then was employed to examine resurgence of the previously VI responding. The peak-interval procedure consisted of FI 30-s trials intermixed with 300-s peak trials, each separated by 20-s blackouts. Resurgence of operant responding was obtained and examined within and across sessions.