The Effects of Reinforcer Magnitude and Delay on the Acquisition of Lever-Press Responding in Rats

Author

Kimberly E. Seckinger, Western Michigan University

Date of Defense

4-24-2002

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Alan Poling

Second Advisor

Dr. Jack Michael

Third Advisor

Dr. Susan Snycerski

Abstract

The acquisition of novel behavior remains a relatively unexplored topic of research. The present study used a resetting/cancellation procedure to assess the effects on lever-press acquisition of reinforcer magnitude and delay arranged in a factorial design. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of six groups of eight rats each. Results suggest that longer delays retarded acquisition and that reinforcer magnitude did not produce better acquisition.

Comments

Fourth Advisor: Sean Laraway

Recommended Citation

Seckinger, Kimberly E., "The Effects of Reinforcer Magnitude and Delay on the Acquisition of Lever-Press Responding in Rats" (2002). Honors Theses. 1208.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/1208

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only