Odor-Based Runway Performance of Rats as A Function of Type of Reinforcer and Multiple Deprivation Conditions

Two experiments examining the development of odor-based double-alternation patterning under concurrent food and water deprivation, but food versus water reinforcement, are reported. In both experiments patterning was established only by animals receiving food reinforcement. Shifting type of reinforcer (i.e., food to water, and vice versa) resulted in an immediate and pronounced change in performance (Experiment 1). Increasing the duration of water deprivation (Experiment 2) produced an increase in general performance level, but did not result in the development of patterning by water-reinforced animals. These results would appear to be supportive of an ethologically based interpretation, such as optimal foraging theory.