Effects of a Time Correlated Cue on Tempral Discrimination and Reinforcement

Twenty-eight male hooded rats were trained with a time correlated cue called al1 clock. The Ss were divided into four matched groups for the four experimental procedures. The light out group had the time correlated cue removed.
Two groups received 50% reinforcement; one on an alternating schedule, the other on a random basis. The regular group continued training with the clock.
It was predicted that animals under the greatest control of the clock would exhibit the best temporal discrimination. Dew’s notion that schedules and external stimulation provide more control than the immediate effects of reinforcement over behavior was tested. Helson’s adaptation level theory predicted that the two 50% groups would perform similarly.
All four groups were significantly different from each other (p .001) based on the percent correct responses. Animals under the greatest control of the clock had the best temporal discriminations. Dew’s notion was supported. Helson's theory could not account for the differences between the two 50% reinforcement groups.