Significance of reinforcement for differentiation of signals of instrumental conditional reflexes in rats.

Abstract

1) Elaboration of defensive instrumental conditioned reflexes proceeds much more readily than elaboration of analogous drinking conditioned reflexes. 2) Differentiation with defensive reinforcement is elaborated more readily than with drinking reinforcement; in the first case it is done mainly owing to the increase of inhibition of the nonreinforced reflexes, in the second case, owing to the increase of the reinforced reflex. Differentiation with defensive reinforcement is manifested much better than with drinking reinforcement. 3) A transition to reinforcement of both positive and negative signals degrades a previously elaborated differentiation but does not destroy the difference between positive and negative consolidated reflexes. 4) Experiments with alternation of instrumental conditional reflexes with defensive reinforcement produce a high degree of discrimination and with drinking reinforcement poor discrimination. 5) In the experiments with a stereotype of alternating signals with defensive reinforcement the animals reaction is linked mainly to the conditioned signal itself, while in the case of drinking reinforcement it is determined by a stereotype. 6) Experiments decreasing the difference between positive and negative conditioned signals reveal higher discriminational abilities with defensive reinforcement than with drinking reinforcement.