Effects of varying food-deprivation level on the reinforcing value of water on scheduled-induced drinking

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Angel M. Villalobos
Alicia Roca

Abstract

Scheduled-induced drinking (SID) occurs when food-deprived rats are exposed to intermittent schedules of food reinforcement. In recent years, SID has been considered as operant behavior reinforced directly by water and it has been suggested that food deprivation may function as a motivating operation that increases the reinforcing value of water. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of varying food-deprivation levels on water reinforcing efficacy during SID sessions. In successive phases, three rats were maintained at their free-feeding weights, or were food deprived at 90 or 80% of their free-feeding weights. Rats were exposed to SID sessions in which food was delivered according to a tandem fixed- time 176- s, differential-reinforcement-of-other-behavior 4-s. Lever presses were reinforced with water according to a progressive-ratio 5 schedule. In general, response rates for water and break points increased with increases in food-deprivation level. The results complement earlier findings showing that SID is operant behavior reinforced directly by water.

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How to Cite
Villalobos, A. M. ., & Roca, A. (2022). Effects of varying food-deprivation level on the reinforcing value of water on scheduled-induced drinking. Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis, 48(2). https://doi.org/10.5514/rmac.v48.i2.84460