The effects of punishment on food pellet discrimination

Abstract

Rats were trained on a multiple schedule of reinforcement. The reinforcers were Noyes sucrose and standard food pellets. The onset of a shock of approximately.40 mA and 50 msec was paired, simultaneously and consistently, with one type of pellet. Removal of shock on alternate blocks of sessions resulted in contrast effects between rates following sucrose and standard pellets. The presence of shock suppressed postreinforcement rates of responding following the shock-paired pellet. Response rate decrements were less following the pellet type not paired with shock during the same session.