Inter-cycle interval effects and stimulus control in temporally defined schedules

Abstract

Two groups of rats were exposed to temporally defined schedules (tD = 30 s, tΔ =30 s) that differed by the length of an inter cycle interval (3 or 30 s) intruded between the end of tΔ and the beginning of tD. In order to evaluate stimulus functions development, both tD and tΔ were correlated with particular cues. Response rate was higher in tD than in tΔ 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 tΔ subcycle.