Opportunity for interaction as reinforcer in a T-maze (1976)

Werner, C., Anderson, D. F.

Abstract

Used 2 forms of handling as reinforcement in a 'T' maze for 34 male Sprague-Dawley albino rats. In a 12-day experiment, those receiving gentling learned to avoid reinforcement, while those receiving fondling learned to obtain it. In a 6-day follow-up, Ss were given either a fondling hand or a rat companion as reinforcement. The proportions of reinforced trials and running times were similar for both objects. Ss learned a task to obtain interaction with a rat or responsive surrogate.