A Note on Response Rate and Conditioned Suppression

Abstract

Three pigeons were trained on a multiple VI-3 FR-50 schedule of reinforcement. An Estes-Skinner conditioned suppression procedure, with a 1 min. CS, was then superimposed on the VI component. After the suppression was stable, the number of responses required per reinforcement in the FR component was progressively increased to produce an increase in the response rate during the VI component. The results indicated no change in suppression accompanied by substantial changes in the baseline rate of response during the VI component as the FR requirement was increased. These data were interpreted to indicate that an increase in the baseline response rate is not a sufficient condition to produce a change in conditioned suppression on a variable interval schedule.