Bar Press Behavior Reinforced by Pup Retrieval

Authors

N. F. Viemeister, Grinnell College
J. Pierce, Grinnell College
D. W. Tyler, Grinnell College

Document Type

Research

Abstract

A method was developed to test the reinforcing effects of pup retrieval on the behavior of lactating female rats. A modified bar press chamber was employed. One section of the chamber served as the nest area for the mother and young. The female was taught to bar press in order to be admitted to a retrieving area containing a pup which the female could retrieve and return to the nest. The results indicated that high and sustained rates of bar pressing could he obtained using pup retrieval as the reinforcing event. The data obtained using this method were discussed in relation to bar press conditioning employing conventional reinforcers.

Publication Date

1964

Journal Title

Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

71

Issue

1

First Page

429

Last Page

432

Copyright

©1964 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Viemeister, N. F.; Pierce, J.; and Tyler, D. W. (1964) "Bar Press Behavior Reinforced by Pup Retrieval," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 71(1), 429-432.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol71/iss1/64