Reserpine and the Partial Reinforcement Effect in the Fish Tilapia H. Macrocephala

Abstract

A strong partial reinforcement effect was produced in 20 fish trained to a free operant striking response by injection of reserpine before extinction of the response. This was interpreted as a result of inhibition of responding during extinction of 20 Ss trained on a consistent schedule of reinforcement rather than facilitation of responding in Ss trained on a .4 variable ratio schedule of reinforcement.