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Response suppression on DRL by rats with septal damage
Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology
|June 1, 1978
Summary
Differential reinforcement for low rates of responding (DRL) suppresses septal rat responding. Both normal and septal rats discriminated between DRL and variable interval schedules, showing DRL
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The differential reinforcement for low rates of responding (DRL) is a behavioral contingency used to reduce response frequency.
- Septal lesions in rats are known to affect behavioral control and response regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of the DRL contingency in suppressing response rates in septal rats.
- To determine if septal rats can discriminate between DRL and variable interval (VI) schedules.
Main Methods:
- A Multi-DRL-yoked-VI schedule of reinforcement was employed.
- Yoking procedures equated interreinforcement times between DRL and VI components.
- Schedule order and DRL delay requirements were systematically varied.
Main Results:
- Response rates were significantly higher in the VI component compared to the DRL component for both normal and septal rats.
- A clear discrimination between the DRL and VI components was observed in both groups, indicated by sharp changes in responding at schedule transitions.
- Septal rats' responding was suppressed by the DRL contingency, similar to normal rats.
Conclusions:
- The DRL contingency effectively suppresses response rates in septal rats.
- Septal rats demonstrate the ability to discriminate between DRL and VI schedules.
- The suppression of responding in septal rats is attributed to the DRL contingency itself, rather than solely the density or distribution of reinforcement.