FRUSTRATION THEORY PARTIAL REINFORCEMENT EFFECTS - ACQUISITION-EXTINCTION PARADOX

Experimental results indicating slower acquisition speeds but greater resistance to extinction under partial reinforcement (PRF) than under continuous reinforcement have been said to constitute a paradox for frustration theory, which attributes the increased persistence after PRF training to counterconditioning of anticipatory-frustration stimuli to the instrumental response. An argument is presented for resolving this apparent paradox within the framework of existing frustration theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.