Abstract
Rats were trained on a multiple variable-interval extinction schedule of reinforcement. The effects of a stimulus which preceded an unavoidable shock were assessed when it was superimposed on both components of the schedule or on VI components only. In general, VI responding was suppressed during the preshock stimulus. There was no evidence for any increase in responding during extinction components either generally or differentially during the preshock stimulus. These findings fail to support an earlier suggestion that a preshock stimulus may impair discrimination performances.
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This research was supported by Grant 969/430/C from the Medical Research Council, U.K., for which the authors are indebted. The experiment was performed in the University of Nottingham.
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Blackman, D.E., Scruton, P. Conditioned suppression and discriminative control of behavior. Animal Learning & Behavior 1, 90–92 (1973). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03214568
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03214568