Resurgence of Three-Response Sequences in Rats

Resumen

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 LLL 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.