The effects of partial reinforcement on the acquisition and extinction of avoidance behavior in gerbils

Abstract

Separate groups of gerbils received 100%, 50%, or 0% reinforcement during avoidance acquisition. A reinforced trial was one in which the avoidance contingency was in effect, while a nonreinforced trial was a CS-US pairing. Groups trained under either partial or continuous reinforcement were subdivided into two extinction conditions, 100% classical CS-US trials or regular avoidance extinction. In acquisition, CR frequency and percent reinforcement were positively related. Significantly more rapid extinction obtained under the CS-US pairing procedure relative to regular avoidance extinction, and animals trained under partial reinforcement were more resistant to extinction than animals trained under continuous reinforcement. These results were interpreted in terms of the effects of delayed punishment on nonreinforced trials in acquisition and extinction.