Abstract
The training, extinction, and retraining performance of three groups of rats with large rewards (11 45-mg), small (45-mg) rewards, and small (45-mg) rewards with intertrial feedings (10 45-mg) was investigated in a runway. The results were in accord with the generalization that asymptotic performance is directly related to the magnitude of reward and differed from results recently reported by McCain.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
ARMUS, H. L. Effect of magnitude of reinforcement on acquisition and extinction of a running response. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1959, 58, 61–63.
BITTERMAN, M. E., & SCHOEL, W. M. Instrumental learning in animals: Parameters of reinforcement. In P. H. Mussen and M. R. Rosenzweig (Eds.), Annual review of psychology. Stanford: Annual Reviews, 1970, Pp. 367–436.
BLACK, R. W. Incentive motivation and the parameters of reward in instrumental conditioning. In W. J. Arnold and D. Levine (Eds.), Nebraska symposium on motivation. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1969, Pp. 85–137.
LOGAN, F. A. Incentive: How the conditions of reinforcement affect the performance of rats. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1960.
McCAIN, G. Reward magnitude and instrumental responses: Consistent and partial reward. Psychonomic Science, 1970, 19, 139–140.
PAVLIK, W. B., & REYNOLDS, W. F. Effects of deprivation schedule and reward magnitude on acquisition and extinction performance. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1963, 56, 452–455.
PUBOLS, B. H., JR. Incentive magnitude, learning, and performance in animals. Psychological Bulletin, 1960, 57, 89–115.
REYNOLDS, W. F., & PAVLIK, W. B. Running speed as a function of deprivation period and reward magnitude. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1960, 53, 615–618.
ROBERTS, W. A. Resistance to extinction following partial and consistent reinforcement with varying magnitudes of reward. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1969, 67, 395–400.
RYAN, T. A. Multiple comparisons in psychological research. Psychological Bulletin, 1959, 56, 26–47.
WIKE, E. L., & ATWOOD, M. E. The effects of sequences of reward magnitude, delay, and delay-box confinement upon runway performance. Psychological Record, 1970, 20, 51–56.
WOLFE, J. B., & KAPLON, M. D. Effects of amount of reward and consummatory activity on learning in chickens. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 1941, 31, 353–361.
ZARETSKY, H. H. Runway performance during extinction as a function of drive and incentive. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1965, 60, 463–464.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by grants from The General Research Fund and from a NASA grant to the University of Kansas.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wike, E.L., Chen, JS. Runway performance and reward magnitude. Psychon Sci 21, 139–140 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331852
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331852