Abstract
Twelve rats with extensive training on a random-interval (RI) 60-sec schedule of reinforcement were placed on extinction for 15 sessions, followed by 10 sessions of RI 60-sec responding for food, and then another 15 sessions of extinction. The response rates of an equal number of rats with complete, lateral, or medial septal lesions or control operations were measured for each condition. During the extinction conditions, a ratio between the response rate during extinction over the response rate during the previous RI 60-sec schedule was calculated. Rats with lateral or medial septal lesions had the highest extinction ratios on Session 1 of the first extinction condition. Also, the response rates of all rats with any septal damage was significantly higher during the postextinction RI 60-sec condition. The results suggest that rats with septal damage overrespond on a schedule of reinforcement when another condition that inhibits responding (extinction) is removed and the original schedule of reinforcement is reinstated.
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Poplawsky, A., Hoffman, S.L. Responding during repeated extinction and reacquisition conditions by rats with different septal lesions. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 16, 276–278 (1980). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329542
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329542