ABSTRACT
To investigate the effects of the behavioral history and instructions on acquisition and resistance to extinction with a multiple schedule, 15 students were distributed into three groups. In Phase 1, Group 1 was exposed to gradual increases in the values of the components until a multiple FR 60 DRL 20 s; groups 2 and 3 were directly exposed to that multiple schedule, but Group 3 received instructions. In Phase 2, the FR was adjusted and a multiple FR n DRL 20 s was maintained until stability. In Phase 3, a multiple Extinction schedule was in effect. Instructions, as compared to direct or gradual exposure to the schedules, facilitated acquisition of differentiated response rates, but increased resistance to extinction.
Keywords:
behavioral history; instructions; multiple schedules; acquisition; resistance to extinction; humans