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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Recording Single Neurons' Action Potentials from Freely Moving Pigeons Across Three Stages of Learning
Published on: June 2, 2014
Effects of partial reinforcement on conditioning, conditional probabilities, asymptotic performance, and extinction
Abstract:
Classical conditioning and extinction of the rabbit nictitating membrane response was investigated under 100 per cent, and two 50 per cent reinforcement conditions (50% equated total trials, and 50% equated reinforced trials) at average intertrial intervals (ITIs) of 30 and 60 sec. It was found that: (1) partial reinforcement reduced the rate of conditioning, but all groups eventually attained asymptomatic performance levels near 100 per cent; (2) first-order and second-order conditional probabilities following reinforced and nonreinforced trials were virtually identical; and (3) no partial reinforcement extinction effect (PREE) was observed.
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