Resurgence of Three-Response Sequences in Rats

Abstract

Resurgence is defined as the reappearance of behavior patterns observed earlier in a subject’s learning history but not observed in the present. Response resurgence has been observed when both simple and complex operants are used. The present experiment was designed to evaluate the resurgence of response sequences when using an extinction procedure in the third phase. Rats were trained to emit sequences of three responses on two levers [left (L) and right (R)]. In the first phase, the subjects were assigned to one of two groups; the first group being reinforced for emitting the sequence RLR, and the second group being trained to emit the sequence RLL. In the second phase, the sequence LL was reinforced in both groups. Finally, in the third phase, responding by both groups was extinguished. The results showed an increase in the variability of the sequences emitted in the third phase. However, in both groups the greatest increase was observed in the percentage occurrence of the sequence reinforced during the first phase. These results are discussed as evidence of the resurgence of response sequences.