{rfName}
Re

Indexed in

Citations

26

Altmetrics

Analysis of institutional authors

Alvarez, BeatrizAuthor

Share

November 4, 2021
Publications
>
Article
No

Reinforcement of schedule-induced drinking in rats by lick-contingent shortening of food delivery

Publicated to: LEARNING & BEHAVIOR. 44 (4): 329-339 - 2016-12-01 44(4), DOI: 10.3758/s13420-016-0221-6

Authors:

Alvarez, Beatriz; Ibias, Javier; Pellon, Ricardo
[+]

Affiliations

Univ Nacl Educ Distancia, Fac Psicol, Dept Psicol Basica 1, Anim Behav Labs, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Nacl Educ Distancia, Fac Psicol, Dept Psicol Basica 1, C Juan del Rosal 10,Ciudad Univ, E-28040 Madrid, Spain - Author

Abstract

Schedule-induced drinking has been a theoretical question of concern ever since it was first described more than 50 years ago. It has been classified as adjunctive behavior; that is, behavior that is induced by an incentive but not reinforced by it. Nevertheless, some authors have argued against this view, claiming that adjunctive drinking is actually a type of operant behavior. If this were true, schedule-induced drinking should be controlled by its consequences, which is the major definition of an operant. The present study tested this hypothesis. In a first experimental phase, a single pellet of food was delivered at regular 90-s intervals, but the interfood interval could be shortened depending on the rat's licking. The degree of contingency between licking the bottle spout and hastening the delivery of the food pellet was 100 %, 50 %, and 0 % for 3 separate groups of animals. Rats that could shorten the interval (100 % and 50 % contingency) drank at a higher rate than those that could not (0 %), and the level of acquisition was positively related to the degree of contingency. In a second phase of the experiment, all groups were exposed to a 100 % contingency, which resulted in all rats developing high levels of schedule-induced drinking. Licking is enhanced if it hastens reinforcement, and can do so at delay characteristics of those present in studies of schedule-induced drinking, thus supporting the view that adjunctive behavior is an operant.
[+]

Keywords

adjunctive vs. operant behaviorlick-food contingencyratsAcquisitionAdjunctive vs. operant behaviorBehaviorDependent delaysDeprivationDistributionsInduced-polydipsiaIntervalLick-food contingencyPunishmentRatsSchedule-induced drinkingTime

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal LEARNING & BEHAVIOR, and although the journal is classified in the quartile Q3 (Agencia WoS (JCR)), its regional focus and specialization in Behavioral Sciences, give it significant recognition in a specific niche of scientific knowledge at an international level.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-04:

  • WoS: 12
[+]

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-04:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 44.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 44 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 1.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 1 (Altmetric).
[+]

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (ALVAREZ ALVAREZ, BEATRIZ) .

[+]

Awards linked to the item

Research and preparation of the manuscript was supported by Spanish Government research grants PSI2011-29399 and PSI2014-56944-P (Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad: Secretaria de Estado de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion) to Ricardo Pellon. Thanks to Jack Marr for the insight into the experimental question (though he might not be aware), and to Alejandro Higuera, Miguel Miguens, and Peter R. Killeen for comments on previous versions of the manuscript.
[+]