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. 1981 Sep;36(2):285–297. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1981.36-285

Three versions of the additive theories of behavioral contrast

Frances K McSweeney, R H Ettinger, Wayne D Norman
PMCID: PMC1333075  PMID: 16812247

Abstract

The additive theories of behavioral contrast state that contrast will occur only when two types of responses interact during multiple schedules. Three more specific versions of the theories may be defined according to how they distinguish these two types of responses. A strong version physically distinguishes them. A second version distinguishes them according to the theoretical processes which control them. A weak version distinguishes them on the basis of the environmental relations which control them. Only the weak version of the theories is currently testable. The weak theory should be tested by establishing each of the two environmental relations independently and then combining them to assess their effect on behavior. Because this test is not usually performed, many of the results which have been taken to support or contradict the additive theories are actually ambiguous.

Keywords: behavioral contrast, additive responses, additive theories, multiple schedules, instrumental responses, pigeons, rats

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Selected References

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