Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats
Published on: February 15, 2015
The role of contextual cues in operant responding in rats
1Psychology Dept., University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5C2.
Abstract:
Following lever-press training on a variable-interval 60-second schedule of food presentation, groups of rats either remained in their home cages or were exposed to the operant chamber, from which lever and food had been removed, for five sessions. The lever was replaced in the chamber and rats from Group 1 (exposure to chamber) and Group 3 (home cage) were returned to the variable-interval schedule. Although response rates in test sessions were somewhat lower than at the end of training, there was no statistically significant difference in rates for either group. Rats in Group 2 (exposure to chamber) and Group 4 (home cage) received two test sessions of extinction. During the first session, Group 2 rates of lever pressing were significantly higher than Group 4 rates. These findings do not support the view that associations between contextual cues and the reinforcer serve to energize instrumental behavior (Pearce & Hall, 1979), and provide only minimal support for the view that contextual cues control responses that compete with the operant (Mills, 1980).
Related Concept Videos
Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement in operant conditioning can be positive or negative, both of which serve to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive...
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...
Associative Learning
Classical conditioning, also known...
Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Law of Effect
Edward Thorndike's foundational work involved studying learning in animals, particularly using puzzle...
Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...

