SIGNAL MANIPULATION EFFECTS ON RESPONDING MAINTAINED WITH DELAY OF REINFORCEMENT

Abstract

Evaluate the manipulation of the signal (light) duration upon the response frequency maintained by delayed reinforcement was the purpose of the study. Fifteen rats were assigned and the study was divided into two phases. On Phase 1, the light duration was gradually increased until covered all the delayed period (Chained Group III) or was gradually decreased until disappeared (Chained Group II). With two other groups, the light or was not presented, or its duration covered the entire period. There was an increase of 4 s of the delay duration in Phase 2, identical to the previous. There was an increase in the rate of responding and reinforces with the light duration manipulation. The results are discussed focusing the conditioned reinforcer properties of the signal. Key words: Delayed reinforcement, delay-signal, signal duration, conditioned reinforcement, delay reduction theory and lever press