Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Recording Single Neurons' Action Potentials from Freely Moving Pigeons Across Three Stages of Learning
Published on: June 2, 2014
Reinforcement signals facilitate learning about early behaviors of a response sequence
1Department of Psychology, University of Missouri at Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Abstract:
The present experiment examined the effect of presenting a stimulus simultaneously with the delivery of reinforcement on the acquisition of a two-response sequence. Two groups of rats responded on a schedule that required the subject to emit either a left-lever right-lever or a right-lever left-lever response sequence to obtain reinforcement. A group with a 500-ms auditory reinforcement-signal emitted the sequence at a higher rate than a groups of rats that lacked the signal. The rates of response on the terminal response lever were similar in both signalled and unsignalled groups, but rates were higher on the initial response lever in the signalled compared to the unsignalled condition. These results suggest that a signal for reinforcement acts to enhance learning about the preceding response sequence, and that this facilitation is due to an enhancement in emitting the initial rather than the terminal component of the sequence.
Related Concept Videos
Timing and Consequences on Behavior
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant...
Primary and Secondary Reinforcers
Effective reinforcers for humans vary depending on the individual and the context. Primary reinforcers, such as food, water, sleep, shelter, and pleasure, have inherent value and satisfy basic biological...
Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus, increasing the frequency of that behavior. For example:
Reinforcement Schedules
Once a behavior is learned,...
Role of Shaping in Operant Conditioning
The steps involved in shaping begin with reinforcing any response that resembles the desired behavior. For example, parents might praise a child for picking up one toy. As...
Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement in operant conditioning can be positive or negative, both of which serve to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive...

