Effect of noncontingent partial reinforcement on the resistance to extinction of a runway response.

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Abstract
An experiment was performed [with rats] to determine the extent to which the resistance to extinction of a continuously reinforced runway response would be affected by (a) partial reinforcement administered by means of direct placements (DPs) into the goal box, (b) partial reinforcement by DPs plus concurrent interspersed continuously reinforced running trials, and (c) the amount of locomotion required of S in the goal box on DP trials. The results indicated increased resistance to extinction when Ss [subjects] were required to run 8 in. on the partially reinforced DP trials, regardless of whether continuously reinforced running trials were interspersed among the DP trials or not. Under DP conditions designed to minimize locomotion, however, DP partial reinforcement had no effect on resistance to extinction either with or without the interspersed running trials. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for frustration theory.

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