The effects of magnitude and duration of change on the light-contingent bar pressing of hooded rats

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Abstract
A prediction from a Stimulus‐Change theory of light‐contingent bar pressing (LCBP) is that within a range, larger magnitudes of change will be more reinforcing. This was tested with hooded rats for light intensity Increments and Decrements. In addition to magnitudes, the effect of the duration of change was also investigated. The response results for light Increments showed an initial inverted U effect for magnitudes, followed by a general positive relationship over the remaining trials. Only the largest light Decrement was reinforcing. It was argued that these results support a Stimulus‐Change explanation of LCBP. The magnitude effect was contrasted with comparable data from albino rats. While shorter durations of light Increment were the most reinforcing, there was a suggestion that a longer duration of light Decrement was the most effective. Therefore, the relative reinforcing value of Increments and Decrements differed according to the duration of change.

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