Frustration Effect and Extent of Instrumental Response

Goal-box activity of Ss run in a single alley was compared to activity of Ss placed directly into the goal box. Following nonreward significant increases in activity above rewarded activity levels were found for both Run and Placed groups. When these effects were compared to goal-box activity levels of never-rewarded control groups, however, only the activity increments in the Run group could be attributed to frustration produced by nonreward. The results are discussed in terms of Amsel's (1958) theory.