Abstract
Rats that reached the criteria for learning a simple place response in a T-maze sooner showed significantly more spontaneous alternation than slower learning rats in a pre-learning test of exploratory tendencies. The stricter the criterion used for the learning task, the stronger was this association.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
BEACH, F. A. The neural basis of innate behavior: III. Comparison of learning ability and instinctive ability in the rat. J. comp. Psychol., 1939, 28, 225–268.
LESTER, D. Sex differences in exploration: Toward a theory of exploration. Psychol. Rec., 1967a, 17, 55–62.
LESTER, D. Exploratory behavior of dominant and submissive rats. Psychon. Sci., 1967b, 9.
MONTGOMERY, K. C. The relation between fear induced by novel stimulation and exploratory drive. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1955, 48, 254–260.
SIEGEL, S. Nonparametric statistics for the behavioral sciences. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1956.
WALKER, E. L. Action decrement and its relation to learning. Psychol. Rev., 1958, 65, 129–142.
WALKER, E. L., & PARADISE, N. A positive correlation between action decrement and learning. J. exp. Psychol., 1958, 56, 45–47.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lester, D. Spontaneous alternation and learning in rats. Psychon Sci 9, 575–576 (1967). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03327896
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03327896