The Frustration Effect when Punishment is Paired with Reward

Two groups of rats (n = 48) were given 50% reward in Goalbox 1 of a double alleyway, with one group receiving shock on rewarded trials and one group receiving no-shock. After 48 trials, each group was subdivided, with one group receiving shock and the other receiving no-shock for 48 trials. During preshift and postshift, the frustration effect (FE) was found to be greater for nonpunished than for punished rats. During preshift the greater FE was due to faster Alley 2 speeds by nonpunished rats following nonreward. During postshift, the greater FE was due to faster Alley 2 speeds by punished rats following reward paired with punishment. The data were discussed within frustration theory.