Companion's effects upon resistance to change

In order to investigate the effects of a companion's presence on resistance to change, five rats were trained under a multiple schedule comprised of components with high versus low rate of water reinforcement. After response rates became stable, water was given to the subjects prior to the experimental sessions, and these were conducted both in the absence and in the presence of a companion, which also could be responding or merely present. Results showed that the companion's presence increased resistance to satiation, mainly during the component with the higher reinforcement rate. These results suggest that the effect of the companion's presence may interact with reinforcement rate in determining response rate and resistance to satiation.