Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1965. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Bibliography: l. 38-40.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1961. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 17).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1963. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-30).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-50).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1966. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Both Frustration Theory and Sequential Effects Theory appear to account with some plausibility for the Partial Reinforcement Effect (PRE) and accompanying phenomena. On the basis of Frustration Theory, however, a PRE should not occur after only minimal acquisition training. On this point, the experimental evidence is conflicting. On the basis of analogous studies employing extended acquisition, trial distribution may be suggested as a factor, among others, which might affect the occurrence of the PRE. All previous studies showing evidence for a PRE after minimal acquisition employed intertrial intervals (ITI's) in acquisition and extinction of no more than 15 minutes. The problem which this study was concerned with was therefore whether a PRE could be obtained after only minimal acquisition when trials were distributed. Accordingly, it was hypothesized that a PRE would occur after a sequence of only five trials under a partial reinforcement (PRF) schedule in an 'RNRNR' sequence, compared with performance following continuous reinforcement (CRF), irrespective of whether trials were highly distributed or highly massed. A factorial 2x2 design was used in which four groups of Ss were trained under two conditions of reward schedule (PRF or CRF), and two conditions of ITI both in acquisition and extinction. The method, apparatus and procedure of a previous study (McCain, 1969) which showed evidence for a PRE after only minimal acquisition were replicated as far as possible, except for changes required by the design or on theoretical grounds. Evidence was found for a PRE under both conditions of ITI in terms of differences in extinction trends, confirming the hypothesis tested. Trial distribution was found to effect the mean running speeds shown by PRF and CRF groups such that greater resistance to extinction was shown by the PRF group in comparison to the CRF group when the ITI was 30 sec., while running measures did not show this effect when the ITI was 24 hours. This latter lack of a significant difference appeared to be mainly due to a reduction in PRF running speeds when the ITI was 24 hours rather than an increase in CRF running speeds. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

LD2668 .T4 1966 W271 / Master of Science

No description available.

This thesis explored an applied behavioral analysis of bonus reinforcement in the Henry County Retarded Children’s Association Sheltered Workshop at New Castle, Indiana, using a multiple baseline technique. This technique has particular value when the behavior studied appears irreversible or when reversing is undesirable. Using this technique a number of responses are identified and measured over time, allowing changes to be evaluated.The techniques making up a particular behavioral application must be completely described and identified. Procedural descriptions require considerable detail about all possible contingencies in the experiment. The theoretical importance of a value is not sought after, but rather specifically its power in altering behavior enough to be socially important.A behavioral change may have generality if it proves durable over a period of time, if it appears in a wide variety of different environments, or if it spreads to a wide variety of related behaviors. If it is effective in changing behavior in one setting it may easily be repeated in other settings and thus accomplish generalization.The present study proposed that if a S receives reinforcement in one work situation that the behavior generated will carry over into other work and social situations by generalization.It was concluded from the study using the multiple baseline design that the bonus treatment was effective in increasing production overall and that generalization did occur.

Motivation is an important factor in psychology, and much attention, therefore, has been devoted to the study of drives. Interaction of deprivation (hunger drive) and delay of reinforcement was studied in an operant framework in this experiment.Four male Sprague Dawley rats at approximately 250 days of age served as subjects in this experiment. The rats were exposed to a series of conditions within a counter-balanced design. The four conditions were: (a) 85 percent adjusted body weight with no delay; (b) 85 percent adjusted body weight with a 10 second delay; (a) 75 percent adjusted body weight with no delay; and (d) 75 percent adjusted body weight paired with a 10 second delay of reinforcement.Two major conclusions were made from this study. The independent variables may have individually influenced performance, and interaction between deprivation and a signaled delay also occurred when the two were placed in the same environment. Experimental evidence also suggested that discrimination of the delay was not as accurate at higher levels of deprivation.I would like to thank Gary F. Meunier, PhD., who served as chairman of this thesis committee, for his cooperation and assistance in the completion of this thesis. A special thanks also goes to Jerry Ulman, PhD. and Arno Wittig, PhD., whose advice as committee members was invaluable.