Abstract
Two levels of drive were combined factorially with two amounts of reward in a runway experiment involving four groups of 12 rats each. After 18 acquisition trials all groups were shifted to the lower reward for 22 additional trials, with drive maintained at the preshift level A negative contrast effect was obtained only in the goal section at the higher level of drive. A replication of the two reward conditions at the higher level of drive confirmed the finding. The results are consonant with Spence’s emotional-motivational theory of contrast effects.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
DiLOLLO, V., & BEEZ, V. Negative contrast effect as a function of magnitude of reward decrement. Psychonomic Science, 1966, 5, 99–100.
DUNHAM, P. J. Contrasted conditions of reinforcement: A selective critique. PsychologicalBulletin, 1968, 69, 295–pl315.
EHRENFREUND, D., & BADIA, P. Response strength as a function of drive level and pre- and post-shift incentive magnitude. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1962, 63, 468–471.
GONZALES, R. C, GLEITMAN, H., & BITTERMAN, M. E. Some observations on the depression effect. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1962, 55, 578–588.
MIKULKA, P. J., LEHR, R., & Pavlik, W. B. The effect of reinforcement schedules on reward shift. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1967, 74, 57–61.
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.
SPENCE, K. W. Behavior theory and conditioning. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1956.
WEISS, R. F. Deprivation and reward magnitude effects on speed throughout the goal gradient. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1960, 60, 348–390.
YARCZOWER, M., FREYGOLD, K., & BLUM, N. Effect of amount, percentage of reinforcement and deprivation condition on runway time. Psychological Reports, 1962, 11, 406.fs
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Office of Aerospace Research, United States Air Force, under AFOSR Grant No. AF-AFOSR-968-67 to the third author.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cleland, E.A., Williams, M.Y. & Dilollo, V. Magnitude of negative contrast effect in relation to drive level. Psychon Sci 15, 121–122 (1969). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336232
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336232