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Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior logoLink to Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
. 1974 Sep;22(2):323–331. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1974.22-323

Motivation in concurrent variable-interval schedules with food and water reinforcers1

Richard D Willis, Carol Van Hartesveldt, Kristen K Loken, Deborah C Hall
PMCID: PMC1333273  PMID: 16811796

Abstract

The lever pressing of four food- and water-deprived rats was reinforced on concurrent variable-interval schedules. Food reinforced one response, and water reinforced the other. Response rates in baseline were higher in the food component than in the water component. After response patterns and body weights had stabilized, the animals were given access to either food only, water only, both food and water, or neither food nor water (baseline) before daily sessions. Giving food before a session decreased per cent time in the food component, decreased overall response rates for food, and increased overall response rates for water. Giving water before a session increased per cent time in the food component, increased overall response rates for food, and decreased overall response rates for water. Giving both food and water before a session resulted in a combination of prefeeding and prewatering effects. More food and more water were consumed when both were available than when only one was available before a session.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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