Abstract
The present experiments were undertaken to investigate the effects of variables which have proven important in sequential theory upon performance when attitudinal stimuli and human Ss were used. Ss were presented with either long or short N-lengths (the number of consecutive nonrewarded trials followed by a rewarded trial). The long N-length group proved to be more resistant to extinction than the short N-length group, but the significance level was marginal (F = 2.36, df = 1/38, p <.13) for a timed measure of extinction, while it was highly significant for a verbal report measure of extinction (F = 8.58, df = 1/38, p <.006). Two additional groups were run, one being continuously reinforced (RR) and the other receiving 50% reinforcement, but with all of its nonrewarded trials preceding its reinforced trials (NR). Group NR was more resistant to extinction than Group RR.
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This research is based on a doctoral dissertation submitted to Purdue University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD degree. The author wishes to express his gratitude to Dr. Donn Byrne for his assistance throughout the project. Grateful acknowledgement is also made to Drs. D. R. Brown, E. J. Capaldi, and D. A. Nelson, who served as members of the doctoral committee.
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Lamberth, J. Sequential variables as determinant! of human performance with attitudinal reinforcements. Psychon Sci 22, 350–352 (1971). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332616
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332616