Testing the reinforcing properties of S-: a replication of Lieberman's procedure

A critical issue in testing theories of observing is whether the stimulus associated with extinction (the S-) reinforces observing responses. In previous experiments, subjects have been trained to make observing responses that produce both the S- and the stimulus correlated with reinforcement (the S+). Then, either the S+ or the S- has been withheld. Conflicting results have been attributed to differences among species. In the present experiments, pecking one key by master pigeons was reinforced with grain on a variable-ratio extinction schedule. Yoked pigeons received the grain on a variable-interval, extinction schedule controlled by the variable-ratio performances of the master birds. For both groups, concurrent pecking on a second key was reinforced on a variable-interval schedule with displays of discriminative stimuli. Subsequently, either the S+ or the S- was eliminated from the procedure. Omission of S+ produced a large decrease, as predicted by traditional conditioned reinforcement accounts of observing. By itself, S- did not maintain observing. A smaller and less reliable decrease, comparable to that obtained by Lieberman (1972) with rhesus monkeys, occurred when S- was eliminated. This replication with pigeons of Lieberman's results indicates that they are not species-specific, and the fact that observing was not maintained by S- alone suggests that the decrease obtained when S- was omitted is not attributable to the reinforcing power of S-.