Abstract
In two experiments, rats were trained to run a straight alley for food reward in the goalbox. During subsequent extinction sessions, food rewards were given in the holding cages either immediately pretrial or during the intertriai interval. Pretrial rewards retarded extinction. Importantly, this resistance to extinction was also apparent on nonprefed test trials that occurred either embedded within the daily extinction sessions or at the start of the daily sessions. The results suggest that food reinforcers have a temporary aftereffect that can maintain already conditioned behaviors.
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This research was supported by faculty grants awarded by The Foundation of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
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Terry, W.S. A comparison of pretrial and intertriai rewards on runway extinction. Animal Learning & Behavior 16, 312–317 (1988). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209082
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209082