Suppression of operant vs consummatory behavior

J Exp Anal Behav. 1971 Jul;16(1):133-42. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1971.16-133.

Abstract

The magnitude and variability of conditioned suppression of bar pressing and dipper licking were compared. In two steady-state experiments, suppression of bar pressing was more profound and more stable from day to day. The two measures of suppression were uncorrelated as indexed by Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients computed for adjacent trials. Correlations within measures (internal consistency) were somewhat higher for the bar-press system except when a high proportion of rats completely suppressed on one of the correlated trials. In a transient state experiment in which possible adventitious punishment of both response systems was eliminated, suppression of bar pressing was again more profound and considerably slower to extinguish.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conditioning, Classical
  • Conditioning, Operant*
  • Consummatory Behavior*
  • Drinking Behavior
  • Electroshock
  • Extinction, Psychological
  • Habituation, Psychophysiologic
  • Inhibition, Psychological*
  • Male
  • Punishment
  • Rats
  • Sound