Stimulus properties of reinforcement during extinction of a free operant response

Abstract

Six moderately retarded adolescent girls were conditioned to respond at high stable rates for 4 consecutive days on a fixed ratio 50 schedule. They were then placed on extinction until they met a variable pause criterion for not responding. They were then delivered free reinforcement. The first time that free reinforcement was delivered there was an immediate resumption of responding by all six Ss. The effect ranged from a transitory effect lasting for only one reinforcement presentation to a rather permanent effect showing no decrease after more than 100 reinforcement presentations.