Abstract
Three groups of hooded rats were given 15 placements to either continuous reward, alternating partial reward, or nonreward in a box where activity level was monitored. In acquisition, nonrewarded animals appeared more active than continuously rewarded animals, with partially rewarded animals showing activity levels similar to the group matching their reward type on that trial. In extinction, the continuously rewarded Ss’ activity rose to a level significantly above both the nonrewarded and partially rewarded groups, consistent with predictions of frustration-induced arousal and activity.
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Klare, W.F., Stewart, K.J. Activity level and secondary motivation: Frustration. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 3, 172–174 (1974). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333432
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333432