Abstract
After rats had demonstrated reliable self-punitive behavior the introduction of an 18-min interval between massed trials resulted in rapid extinction of the response. Another punished group which was not delayed continued to perform the response which resulted in punishment, while a nonpunished group showed significantly less resistance to extinction and stopped responding in very few trials. The 18-min interval was assumed to have reduced drive level by lowering residual emotionality. These results are consistent with the Mowrer-Brown theoretical explanation of self-punitive behavior.
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Supported in part by a grant from the Research Committee, Hollins College.
The author appreciates the criticisms offered by J. S. Brown, Ken Melvin, and Paul Siegel.
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Martin, R.C. Self-punitive behavior: One way to stop it. Psychon Sci 14, 25–26 (1969). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336406
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336406