Abstract
In Experiment I, thirsty rats first received 1.50 cc of either 4% or 16% sucrose solution and later received.25 cc of the same solution as before. Control subjects received.25 cc of the appropriate solution throughout. In Experiment II, experimental subjects were shifted from 1.75 cc of 8% to.20 cc of the same solution, but all subjects were later given 1.75 cc sucrose reward. In neither experiment was a reliable negative contrast effect obtained. However, in Experiment II a significant positive-contrast-like effect was obtained. The results were discussed in terms of the older theories of Crespi and Helson as well as the new theory of Capaldi, all three of which emphasize a relative rather than an absolute view of reinforcement.
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This research is supported in part by Faculty Research Grant NSF-GU-3230.
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Shanab, M.E., Young, T. & France, J. Negative contrast as a function of downshifts in magnitude of sucrose concentrations in thirsty rats. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 5, 381–384 (1975). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333278
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333278