Retention of the acquisition and extinction of an instrumental running response

Abstract

Sixty subjects, assigned to 5 intersession-interval groups (1 min., 1 hr., 3 hrs., 24 hrs., or 30 days) were given 30 distributed (6 trials/day), rewarded trials in a straight alley (Acquisition Condition). Two extinction conditions of 30 subjects each, assigned to similar intersession-interval groups, were given identical approach trials, followed by either 10 nonreinforced "run" extinction trials (Condition E) or 10 nonreinforced "run" trials plus 10 "placement" trials (Condition EP). Retention tests were given after this original training at the specified intervals. Analysis of variance indicated no significant differences between Condition E and EP. The retention of extinction training was found to be a nonmonotonic, biphasic function if the early portion of the response chain was examined. A monotonic retention function was found for the acquisition condition.