Heterogeneous Squad Composition, Odor Cues, and the Partial Reinforcement Effect

Abstract

4 groups of rats served as Ss in a study designed to determine the influence of odor cues on the partial reinforcement extinction effect in a straight runway. Ss were run in 2 heterogeneous squads. In both squads were Ss that received continuous or partial reinforcement prior to extinction. One squad run under odor-minimizing conditions, while a second, similar, squad was run under odor-maximizing conditions. Significant partial reinforcement extinction effects were shown only by the odor-maximizing Ss.