Date of Award

8-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Psychological Science

Program

Psychological Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Cory Toegel

Abstract

Signaled transitions from rich (favorable) to lean (less favorable) schedules of reinforcement (i.e., rich-lean transitions) can disrupt operant behavior. Previous literature suggests that disruptions in these transitions could occur because individuals engage in other behavior that reduces contact with the schedule-correlated stimuli. My thesis project evaluated this possibility by using different stimuli to manipulate the ease by which rats could reduce contact with schedule-correlated stimuli during signaled rich-lean transitions. We arranged a two-component multiple fixed ratio-fixed ratio (FR-FR) schedule to evaluate effects of different types of schedule-correlated stimuli on pausing in rich-lean transitions using rat subjects. Components had equivalent FR requirements and were each signaled by unique schedule-correlated stimuli. In one component, rich, satisfying the FR requirement produced 3 food pellets. In the other component, lean, satisfying the FR requirement produced 1 food pellet. Each session consisted of 41 components arranged to produce 10 transitions of four types (rich-lean, rich-rich, lean-lean, lean-rich). Across conditions, we manipulated the type of stimuli that signaled the components. In one condition, Localized, the components were signaled by inserting one of two levers (e.g., right = rich, left = lean). In the other condition, Diffuse, the components operated on the same lever and were signaled by different tones (e.g., 500 Hz = rich, 1500 Hz = lean). Results obtained suggest that reducing contact with schedule-correlated stimuli could play a role in maintaining disruptions normally observed during rich-lean transitions.

Access Type

Open Access

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