Effects of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) on Interval Scheduling in the Domestic Pigeon

Abstract

When pigeons were intraperitoneally injected with ribonucleic acid there was an increase in performance on a previously learned FI schedule but not on a previously learned VI schedule. Yoked RNA animals did not increase responding suggesting that the RNA stimulation effect did not generalize to non-contingent situations. Control animals similarly treated with saline did not change their pattern of responding. Animals treated with RNA extinguished three times faster than controls. Results were discussed in terms of “disinhibition” of responding.