Extinction and spontaneous recovery in positive reinforcement and avoidance learning

Twenty eight naive, male 90 day old hooded rats were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The subjects in group R were conditioned to bar press for food while a stimulus light was illuminated; the other group (A) learned to avoid a .1 ma shock by bar pressing when the light was illuminated. The subjects were run until no significant difference existed in their total response rate in a one hr period (t = .33, p > .7). The subjects were then extinguished. Total and correct responses were found to be significantly higher for group R (t = 2.61, t + 4.07, p < .05) than for group A. Spontaneous recovery rates, total and correct responses, were significantly higher for group R (t = 3.08, t = 3.98, p < .02). It was concluded that avoidance learning is extinguished faster and more completely than rewarded learning.