The efficacy of auditory and visual conjugate reinforcers in infant conditioning

The effectiveness of the separate auditory and visual components of a combined auditory-visual conjugate reinforcer was assessed in 273-month-old infants. All conditions of contingent reinforcement were equally effective in promoting acquisition, but only the removal of the singly presented auditory component resulted in significant response diminution. Although noncontingent stimulation in all conditions was ineffective in altering operant footkicks, it did sustain visual attention at a high level equivalent to that produced by contingent stimulation over the major portion of acquisition. The results were discussed in terms of the reinforcing properties of varied stimulation.