Selected Schedules of Reinforcement in the Mongolian Gerbil

Abstract

Gerbils acquired bar-pressing when water or rat Noyes pellets were contingent. Responding was analyzed under intermittent, time-contingent schedules of reinforcement—FI, VI, and DRL—as well as a variation of a mixed FR schedule. Gerbils responded well above operant level for prolonged periods of time under all schedules examined. Gerbils bar-pressed at 80 to 90% ad lib. body weight for conventional rewards if operant sessions were under 30 min. Also gerbils showed consistent high rates of response under the mixed FR schedule.