Behavioral Contrast in Multiple Schedules of Conjugate Reinforcement and Extinction

The present study is an investigation of behavioral contrast in humans. The preparation for contrast, the multiple schedule of reinforcement, and the evidence for contrast in nonhumans and humans and the role of verbal stimuli, is discussed first, followed by a discussion of the component schedule in the study, a conjugate schedule of reinforcement. The general method of the investigation is presented next, followed by methodological distinctions specific to Experiments 1, 2, and 3. The results of each study are presented and discussed, followed finally by a general discussion of positive contrast, conjugate reinforcement, and future directions for research