Differences in the effect of Pavlovian contingencies upon behavioral momentum using auditory versus visual stimuli

J Exp Anal Behav. 1996 Mar;65(2):389-99. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1996.65-389.

Abstract

We examined the role of Pavlovian and operant relations in behavioral momentum by arranging response-contingent alternative reinforcement in one component of a three-component multiple concurrent schedule with rats. This permitted the simultaneous arranging of different response-reinforcer (operant) and stimulus-reinforcer (Pavlovian) contingencies during three baseline conditions. Auditory or visual stimuli were used as discriminative stimuli within the multiple concurrent schedules. Resistance to change of a target response was assessed during a single session of extinction following each baseline condition. The rate of the target response during baseline varied inversely with the rate of response-contingent reinforcement derived from a concurrent source, regardless of whether the discriminative stimuli were auditory or visual. Resistance to change of the target response, however, did depend on the discriminative-stimulus modality. Resistance to change in the presence of visual stimuli was a positive function of the Pavlovian contingencies, whereas resistance to change was unrelated to either the operant or Pavlovian contingencies when the discriminative stimuli were auditory. Stimulus salience may be a factor in determining the differences in resistance to change across sensory modalities.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Association Learning*
  • Auditory Perception*
  • Conditioning, Classical*
  • Conditioning, Operant
  • Extinction, Psychological
  • Male
  • Mental Recall
  • Motivation
  • Rats
  • Reinforcement Schedule
  • Visual Perception*