A "partial reinforcement extinction effect" in perceptual-motor performance: Coerced versus volunteer subject populations.

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Abstract
Attempted to demonstrate that schedule of knowledge of results (KR) may enhance "resistance to extinction" on the pursuit rotor in a manner analogous to PRE in conditioning. 32 male and 32 female undergraduates were trained on the pursuit rotor under instructions to terminate performance whenever they "lost interest," and trials to termination served as the measure of resistance to extinction. During initial trials 1 group received intermittent, and another group consistent, KR followed by discontinuation of such feedback. Control groups received either consistent or no KR throughout the experiment. 1/2 the Ss in each group were "volunteers" and 1/2 were "coerced" to participate as a course requirement. Results indicate that (a) for volunteers, KR was a significant determinant of resistance to extinction; (b) for coerced Ss, KR had no effect; (c) coerced Ss showed less overall resistance to extinction than volunteers; and (d) terminal accuracy of performance was better for volunteers than for coerced Ss. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

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