| Second-order stimuli do not always increase overall response rates in second-order schedules of reinforcement in the rat. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 15083254 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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RATIONALE: Second-order schedules of reinforcement have been used extensively to model reward-seeking and drug-seeking behaviour. Second-order stimuli within second-order schedules have been shown to enhance response rates during operant responding for natural reinforcers and drug reinforcers. This has led some to view second-order schedules of drug reinforcement as a model maintained of drug-seeking in addicts by drug-associated stimuli. However, the functional role of the second-order stimulus within second-order schedules is complex. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of second-order stimuli within a second-order schedule of reinforcement [FI 4 min (FR10: S)] maintained by sweetened water reinforcement. METHODS: Eight rats were trained to press a bar on a second-order schedule of reinforcement and tested in the presence and absence of the second-order stimulus. RESULTS: In contrast to most previous work, overall bar-pressing rates were significantly increased when the second-order stimulus was omitted (second-order stimulus omission: 0.17 Hz (+/-0.04, 95% CI); second-order stimulus present: 0.13 Hz (+/-0.04, 95% CI)). However, second-order stimuli also changed the pattern of responding whereby rats would make a bout of bar presses prior to the presentation of the second-order stimulus and then pause briefly after the second-order stimulus. In the absence of second-order stimuli, responding was uniformly high. Control measures, such as the ability of the second-order stimulus to evoke checking for the primary reinforcers, indicated that the second-order stimulus was associated with the primary reinforcer. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that although second-order stimuli maintained responding and caused the rat to check for primary reinforcement, overall response rates were increased when the second-order stimuli were omitted. This has implications for interpreting the results of studies where overall response rates within second-order schedules have been the only measure used to assess the effects of potential anti-addiction drugs. Future studies could be improved by performing a second-order stimulus omission test analysing both the overall response rates and the temporal organization of responding with respect to the second-order stimulus. |
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Authors:
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David I G Wilson; E M Bowman |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2004-04-09 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Psychopharmacology Volume: 174 ISSN: 0033-3158 ISO Abbreviation: Psychopharmacology (Berl.) Publication Date: 2004 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2004-07-14 Completed Date: 2004-12-20 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7608025 Medline TA: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Country: Germany |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 430-7 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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School of Psychology, St Mary's College, University of St Andrews, South Street, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9JP, UK. digw@st-and.ac.uk |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Analysis of Variance Animals Appetitive Behavior* / drug effects Conditioning, Operant / drug effects, physiology* Extinction, Psychological Male Rats Reinforcement (Psychology)* Reinforcement Schedule* Sweetening Agents / pharmacology Time Factors |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Sweetening Agents |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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