Date of Award

4-1971

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. E. Wade Hitzing

Second Advisor

Dr. David Lyon

Third Advisor

Dr. John Renfrew

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Polydipsia and contrast effects are two behavioral phenomena produced by manipulations of the reinforcement schedules under which the organisms are behaving. The present study created a complex situation by subjecting rats to a multiple reinforcement schedule. This situation allowed simultaneous examination of both operant and induced drinking behavior. Furthermore, this situation allowed for an examination of possible schedule interactions with respect to the induced and operant drinking behaviors.

It was expected that the results of this study would show that behavioral contrast effects could be obtained in a polydipsic situation. Even though the expected results were not obtained, it is felt that with certain procedural changes, it would be possible to study behavioral contrast with respect to polydipsic behavior.

Share

COinS