Transfer and Non-Transfer Successive Incentive Contrast Effects in the Rat

Abstract

Recent evidence concerning successive incentive contrast suggests the occurrence of both positive and negative contrast effects under both non-transfer and transfer conditions. There are three types of explanation for these contrast effects, based on frustration theory, sequential theory and adaptation level theory (perceptual accounts). One of the critical experiments favouring perceptual accounts, Collier and Marx (1959), is subject to a number of methodological criticisms. This experiment was repeated, with modifications to take account of these criticisms, and extended to include transfer, as well as non-transfer, conditions. There was no evidence of contrast. In a further experiment using Collier and Marx's procedure with lever pressing and panel pushing, positive and negative, transfer and non-transfer effects were found using Noyes pellets rather than sucrose as reward. It is suggested that these results contribute some support to perceptual accounts of incentive contrast, although no present theory is entirely satisfactory.