Azrin, N. H., Hutchinson, R. R., & Hake, D. F. (1966).
Extinction-induced aggression.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior,
9, 191-204.
Pigeons were conditioned to peck a response key under a procedure
that alternated periods of food reinforcement with periods of
extinction. The pigeons attacked a nearby pigeon at the onset of
extinction. Some also attacked a stuffed model of a pigeon. The
duration of attack was an inverse function of the time since the
last food reinforcement and a direct function of the number of
reinforcements. The pigeons attacked after the last food delivery
whether or not the conditioned pecking response was required and
whether or not the extinction period was signaled. The food had
to be eaten; the mere sight and sound of food being delivered did
not produce attack. Prior satiation reduced attack. The
phenomenon was not attributable to a past history of competition
between pigeons since socially deprived pigeons also attacked.
Superstitious reinforcement of attack was not found to be a
factor. The results indicated that the transition from food
reinforcement to extinction was an aversive event that produced
aggression.