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The Behavioral Effects Of Partial Reinforcement As A Function Of The Stimulus Similarity Of The Intertrial Interval, Dennis L. Mclaughlin

Master's Theses

Although Pavlov (1927) and Skinner (1938) had published articles dealing with the effects of less than 100% reinforcement upon acquisition and extinction, it was not until the Humphrey's investigation (1939) that partial reinforcement became an enigma for leaning theorists. Hull's theory came under the sharpest criticism because with a decrease in the number of reinforcement in acquisition there was not a corresponding decrease in habit strength as measured by resistance to extinction. Despite much criticism, Hull did not deet it necessary to consider the problem of partial reinforcement in his Principles of Behavior (1943). Humphreys, on the other hand, proposed …