Transfer of a differentiated operant

Abstract

Twelve rats were trained to differentiate responses on a DRL schedule where the limited hold (LH) of the schedule was either 2 or 4 sec. Two transfer groups (four Ss/group) were initially trained on LH4, while the remaining Ss were placed on LH2 condition. Following this training, transfer Ss were transferred either gradually or abruptly to the LH2 condition. The results (1) indicate that the transfer of a differentiated operant parallels transfer of discrimination and (2) suggest that the major distinction between stimulus discrimination and response differentiation resides in the locus (external or internal) of the cue controlling behavior.