Abstract
After baseline training on a multiple variable interval/variable interval schedule, three rats were shifted to multiple extinction/variable interval in Phase 2, and back to multiple variable interval/variable interval in Phase 3. Two of the three rats showed overall positive contrast in Phase 2 and negative contrast in Phase 3. All three rats showed a pattern of local positive contrast characterized by peak response rate early in the variable interval component, followed by declining response rate toward the termination of this component. The results suggest that overall and local positive contrast do not share identical antecedents, and that the stimulus conditions necessary for autoshaping are not necessary for either the overall or local positive contrast effect.
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Preparation of the manuscript was supported by Postdoctoral Fellowship #1 F32 MHo5601-01 awarded to the first author. We would like to thank Raymond L. Jackson for his incisive criticisms of prior drafts.
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Gutman, A., Minor, T. Local Positive Behavioral Contrast in the Rat. Psychol Rec 26, 349–354 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394397
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394397