Abstract
Independent groups of rats received posterior hypothalamic stimulation of 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, or 5.0 sec duration as a reward for performance in a brightness discrimination task. Acquisition of this discrimination was found to be inversely and linearly related to the duration of rewarding stimulation. It is suggested that long durations of hypothalamic stimulation, while generating strong approach tendencies, may retard learning by interfering with critical association and/or consolidation processes.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
HODOS, W. Motivational properties of long durations of rewarding brain stimulation. J. camp. physiol. Psychol., 1965, 59, 219–224.
KEESEY, R. E. Duration of stimulation and the reward properties of hypothalamic stimulation. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1964, 58, 201–207.
KEESEY, R. E. Hypothalamic stimulation as a reinforcer of discrimination learning. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1966, 62, 231–236.
KLING, J. W., & MATSUMIYA, Y. Relative reinforcement values of food and intracranial stimulation. Science, 1962, 135, 668–670.
MAHUT, H. Effects of subcortical electrical stimulation on learning in the rat. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1962, 55, 472–477.
MAHUT, H. Effects of subcortical electrical stimulation on discrimination learning in the cat. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1964, 58, 390–398.
OLDS, J. Runway and maze behavior controlled by basomedial forebrain stimulation in the rat. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1956, 49, 507–512.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Note
1. This research was supported, in part, by funds supplied by the Research Committee of the University of Wisconsin Graduate School.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lindholm, E.P., Keesey, R.E. Discrimination learning as a function of the duration of rewarding hypothalamic stimulation. Psychon Sci 10, 153–154 (1968). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331456
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331456