Effects of punishing target response during extinction on resurgence and renewal in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

We examined the effects of the presence and absence of punishment on the resurgence and renewal of extinguished operant behavior with zebrafish. With resurgence, food deliveries reinforced target responding in Phase 1 was exposed to shock punishment plus extinction (PUN + EXT) versus extinction alone (EXT) while introducing alternative reinforcement in Phase 2. All contingencies were discontinued in Phase 3. With renewal, target reinforcement during Phase 1 occurred in Context A and then during Phase 2 was exposed to either PUN + EXT or EXT in Context B. All contingencies were discontinued in Context A during Phase 3. During Phase 2 for both resurgence and renewal, decreases in target responding were more rapid with PUN + EXT than EXT. During testing in Phase 3, resurgence was less following PUN + EXT than EXT. In contrast, renewal was greater following PUN + EXT than EXT but differences in response rates at the end of Phase 2 complicated the interpretation. We discuss these differences between resurgence and renewal as due to differences in learning about alternative reinforcement (resurgence) versus more general contextual changes (renewal).