Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
08:30
Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats
Published on: February 15, 2015
20.9K
Behavioral contrast in rats when qualitatively different reinforcers are used
1Psychology Dept., Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99164-4830, USA.
Behavioural Processes
|June 14, 2014
Summary
Behavioral contrast, the change in response rate when reinforcers change, was studied in rats. Contrast effects were observed inconsistently, particularly with high reinforcement rates, and depended on the type of reinforcer used.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Animal behavior research
- Operant conditioning
Background:
- Behavioral contrast is a phenomenon where response rates change when reinforcers in one component of a multiple schedule are altered.
- Previous research has explored behavioral contrast using various species and reinforcer types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate behavioral contrast in rats using multiple schedules with qualitatively different reinforcers (food and water).
- To determine if reinforcement rate influences the occurrence and magnitude of behavioral contrast.
Main Methods:
- Rats were exposed to multiple schedules of reinforcement, alternating between food-food, food-water, and water-water conditions.
- Response rates were recorded under different schedule conditions to assess changes in behavior.
Main Results:
- Behavioral contrast was inconsistently observed, particularly when high rates of reinforcement were employed.
- Response rates for water decreased when food was introduced in the alternative component.
- Response rates for food did not change when water replaced food in the alternative component.
Conclusions:
- The presence and direction of behavioral contrast depend on the specific reinforcers used and their rates.
- Reinforcer value and rate appear to play a critical role in modulating behavioral contrast effects in rats.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Primary and Secondary Reinforcers
1.8K
In psychology, reinforcement is a key concept in behavior modification. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments involving rats in what is known as a Skinner box. The rats learned to press a lever to receive food, a primary reinforcer that fulfilled their innate need for nourishment.
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...
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...
1.8K
01:24Reinforcement Schedules
732
Positive reinforcement is a powerful method for teaching new behaviors to both animals and humans. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments using rats in a Skinner box. When a rat pressed a lever, it received a food pellet. This immediate reward encouraged the rat to repeat the behavior. This method, where a reward follows every instance of the behavior, is known as continuous reinforcement. It is highly effective for establishing new behaviors quickly.
Once a behavior is learned,...
Once a behavior is learned,...
732
01:08Timing and Consequences on Behavior
903
In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective.
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...
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...
903
01:05Instinctive Drift
1.5K
Instinctive drift refers to the tendency of animals to revert to their innate behaviors despite repeated reinforcement. Breland and Breland demonstrated this concept in an experiment with a raccoon. The raccoon was trained to pick up two coins and place them in a container in exchange for food. Initially, the raccoon learned to associate the coins with food, making them a conditioned stimulus or a substitute for food. However, over time, the raccoon became less willing to put the coins into the...
1.5K
01:06Law of Effect
5.7K
B.F. Skinner, a prominent figure in behavioral psychology, introduced operant conditioning by emphasizing the role of consequences in shaping behavior. This theory builds upon the law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike, which posits that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are likely to be repeated. In contrast, those followed by unsatisfying outcomes are less likely to recur.
Edward Thorndike's foundational work involved studying learning in animals, particularly using puzzle...
Edward Thorndike's foundational work involved studying learning in animals, particularly using puzzle...
5.7K
01:21Operant Conditioning
2.6K
Operant conditioning, a key concept in behavioral psychology, involves using reinforcement and punishment to alter the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. B.F. introduced this type of conditioning. Skinner focused on voluntary behaviors and the consequences that follow them, influencing whether these behaviors will be strengthened or diminished.
Reinforcement in operant conditioning can be positive or negative, both of which serve to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive...
Reinforcement in operant conditioning can be positive or negative, both of which serve to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive...
2.6K