EFFECTS OF REWARD INCREASE AND REDUCTION IN DOUBLE RUNWAY

82 male hooded rats received 60 trials in a double runway. On Trials 1-30, reward magnitudes were either consistently large (L) or small (S) in the 1st (GB1) and 2nd goal box (GB2), using a 2 * 2 factorial design. On Trials 31-60, 1/2 of the Ss in each preshift group were shifted to the opposite magnitude in GB1, the GB2 magnitude remaining at the preshift level for all Ss. 2nd runway (R2) performance rate increased for Ss shifted from L to S magnitudes in GB1, but the rate was not significantly above that of Ss constantly receiving the small GB1 reward. Ss shifted from S to L magnitudes in GB1 decreased their R2 response rate. Preshift R2 performance and shift effects varied as a function of GB2 magnitude. Results are discussed in terms of A. Amsel's (see 27:7) frustration theory and 2 theories involving the concept of persevering response tendencies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.