Variation of bar-press duration: where do new responses come from?

Behavioural Processes
S Roberts, Afshin Gharib

Abstract

Instrumental learning involves both variation and selection: variation of what the animal does, and selection by reward from among the variation. Four experiments with rats suggested a rule about how variation is controlled by recent events. Experiment 1 used the peak procedure. Measurements of bar-press durations showed a sharp increase in mean duration after the time that food was sometimes given. The increase was triggered by the omission of expected food. Our first explanation of the increase was that it was a frustration effect. Experiment 2 tested this explanation with a procedure in which the first response of a trial usually produced food, ending the trial. In Experiment 2, unlike Experiment 1, omission of expected food did not produce a large increase in bar-press duration, which cast doubt on the frustration explanation. Experiments 3 and 4 tested an alternative explanation: a decrease in expectation of reward increases variation. Both used two signals associated with different probabilities of reward. Bar presses were more variable in duration during the signal with the lower probability of reward, supporting this alternative. These experiments show how variation can be studied with ordinary equipment and responses.

References

Jul 31, 1981·Science·B F Skinner
Jun 7, 2002·Nature·Christine QueitschSusan Lindquist
Mar 5, 2003·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Allen Neuringer
Oct 1, 1951·Journal of Experimental Psychology·J J ANTONITIS
Apr 2, 2004·BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology·Todd A SangsterChristine Queitsch
Oct 28, 2004·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Animal Behavior Processes·Afshin GharibSeth Roberts

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Citations

May 14, 2016·Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences·Benjamin J De Corte, Matthew S Matell
May 18, 2007·Brain Research·Cynthia M GoochMatthew S Matell
Jul 13, 2014·Animal Cognition·Kelly A GriffithW David Stahlman
Jun 28, 2014·BioMed Research International·Francesca ZorattoWalter Adriani
Nov 23, 2006·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Peter Redgrave, Kevin Gurney
Nov 6, 2018·ELife·Benjamin J De CorteMatthew S Matell
Dec 25, 2008·Journal of Neurogenetics·Björn Brembs
Feb 21, 2016·Learning & Behavior·W David Stahlman, Kenneth J Leising
Feb 26, 2021·Learning & Behavior·Ryan J BrackneyFederico Sanabria

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