Research on topography of operant behavior using a mini camera that takes a picture when the rat makes a response
In the images below, the rat moves a pole suspended from the ceiling to operate a pellet dispensor. The rat moved the pole 20 times and got 20 pellets, called continuous reinforcement (CRF). Then for 20 pole responses no pellets were delivered, called Extinction. Then, the rat again could get pellets for 20 responses and so on.
Notice that when the pole response is reinforced, the rat moves the pole the same way each time (or nearly so). This is called response stereotypy.
On the other hand, when the response is not reinforced (middle 20 images), the rat moves the pole in all sorts of ways. This is called response variability.
When the pole response is again reinforced, the rat immediately switches back to the previously reinforced way of moving the pole.
Link
to Page with 120 images, all data are from one session for one rat.
The
reinforcement conditions alternate after every 20 responses.
CRF: 1-20, 41-60, 81-100, 121-140
Extinction:
21-40, 61-80, 101-120