Abstract

MATEOS MORFIN, Rebeca  and  FLORES AGUIRRE, Carlos. Inter-cycle interval effects and stimulus control in temporally defined schedules. Rev. mex. anál. conducta [online]. 2009, vol.35, n.spe, pp.101-116. ISSN 0185-4534.

Two groups of rats were exposed to temporally defined schedules (t^D = 30 s, t^Δ=30 s) that differed by the length of an inter cycle interval (3 or 30 s) intruded between the end of t^Δ and the beginning of t^D. In order to evaluate stimulus functions development, both t^D and t^Δ were correlated with particular cues. Response rate was higher in t^D than in t^Δ for the group exposed to the longer inter-cycle interval, whereas for the other group the inverse effect was observed. Results are discussed in terms of stimulus functions development, highlighting a possible conditioned reinforcement function of the cue correlated with t^Δ subcycle.

Keywords : Temporally defined schedules; response rates; interval between cycles; rats; stimulus functions.