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Additive and suppressive response summation with a chain schedule
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|November 1, 1974
Summary
Rats showed additive summation of stimuli when presented at the end of a chain schedule, but suppressive summation when stimuli were presented at the beginning. Stimulus parameters significantly influence these summation effects.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Operant conditioning involves learning through consequences.
- Stimulus control refers to how environmental cues influence behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate additive and suppressive summation of stimuli in rats using a two-segment chain schedule.
- To determine the influence of stimulus placement (initial vs. terminal segment) on summation effects.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained on a variable-interval, variable-interval two-segment chain schedule.
- Stimuli (clicker, light, or both) were presented in either the initial or terminal segment.
- Response rates were measured to assess additive and suppressive summation.
Main Results:
- Additive summation occurred when both clicker and light were terminal stimuli.
- Suppressive summation was observed when both clicker and light were initial stimuli.
- Reliable additive summation was not found with terminal stimuli in the second experiment, while suppressive summation was consistent with initial stimuli.
Conclusions:
- Both additive and suppressive summation can occur in chain schedules.
- The position of stimuli within a chain schedule is a critical factor influencing summation effects.
- Stimulus parameters play a significant role in determining whether summation is additive or suppressive.