Automatic reinforcement from operant wheel-running undermines temporal control by fixed-interval schedules of reinforcement.

摘要: Abstract The current study compared the development of response patterns for operant wheel-running and lever-pressing on fixed-interval schedules. Eleven female Long-Evans rats were exposed to (FI) 15-s, 30-s, 60-s schedules with wheel revolutions as behavior sucrose solution reinforcement. Subsequently, a lever was mounted in each responded an FI-30 s schedule Operant average developed scalloping pattern low responding early reinforcement interval followed by increase pressing moment In contrast, wheel-revolutions peaked plateau, that did not change over sessions. Variation FI-schedule value (interval size) alter running throughout interval, but merely parsed this at different points. Cumulative records last session showed long postreinforcement pauses (PRP) pressing. Wheel running, however, rose quickly after continued interval. Overall local rates decreased PRP duration increased size FI increased. We propose automatic generated pressing, provides account poor temporal regulation our study.