The Effect of Interpolated Continuous Reinforcement Following Fixed Ratio Reinforcement on Resistance to Extinction

This study investigated the effect of seven continuous reinforcement sessions interpolated after varying numbers of FR-25 sessions on extinction responses during extinction of three groups of rats. Rats received 7, 14, or 21 sessions of FR-25 followed by 7 sessions of continuous reinforcement and 7 days of extinction. There were three rats in each group. All sessions were 25 minutes long. Results showed rats that received FR-25 for 21 sessions were more resistant to extinction than any other group, measured by the cumulative number of responses during extinction. Cumulative rates of extinction responses for Groups 1 and 2 were not as clear. However, when the groups were compared by individual group responses per day, the group that received FR-25 for 7 sessions. Although the differences were small, this study suggested that interpolated continuous reinforcement may not have had an effect on extinction responses when rats received a large number of prior FR-25 reinforcements