An Experimental Analysis of the Reinforcement Process

The reinforcement process as it applies to learning theory has been the subject of an increasing amount of attention in recent years. This attention is reflected in the controversial question of whether or not reinforcement is a necessary condition for learning and it is reflected even more so, for those who adopt an affirmative position on the question, in their attempt to demonstrate the relationship between reinforcement and learning. Whatever the bias of the theorist there has been an overall concern with making more explicit the reinforcement process. With regard to this latter problem we find several points of view as to the nature of reinforcement.

This paper will deal primarily with an attempt to present experimental evidence of the second variety mentioned above, that is, to demonstrate learning in the presence of increased stimulation while ruling out the possibility of drive reduction.