Shifting from CRF to Extinction

 

This experimental phase demonstrates a shift from CRF reinforcement in the prior 10 sessions (see CRF maintenance) to the application of extinction conditions where no reinforcements were available for any behavior.




Method and Procedures

Subjects had prior training involving 10 sessions of continuous (CRF) reinforcement for bar pressing .




Results
Individual Session Data for Each of Three Subjects for Successive Sessions of Extinction:
------------ Subject A2 -------    -------- Subject A3 -------    -------- Subject A4 ----------

   

   

   


The data for subject A2, A3, and A4 are shown in Column 1, 2, and 3 respectively in the above graphs. Little bar pressing occcurred after the first 20 minutes of session 1 for any of the animals, although animal 04 was the most persistent and showed small bursts even quite late in the 60 minute session. Total bar presses for the hour varied from approximately 30 for A3 to nearly 110 bar presses for A4.

Session 2, administered the following day, reveals relatively weak amounts of spontaneous recovery from Session 1 extinction. By session 3 on the third day, extinction seems pretty much complete.