Delay of Reinforcement: Cue Utilization and the Frustration Effect
Ss receiving partial delay of reward showed better differential learning with a brightness cue given on the delay trials than did Ss receiving partial reinforcement for which the cue was given on nonreward trials. Partial delay of reinforcement resulted in faster start latencies on the trials in which reinforcement was immediate than occurred for continuous immediate reinforcement. The decremental effects of constant delay of reinforcement on performance were eliminated when a sufficient number of trials were given.