Abstract
The spontaneous alternation performances of three groups of hamsters, 20, 50, and 150 days old, were compared. A positive association was found between age and rate of alternation. These findings were interpreted as additional evidence of the relationship between the ability of an animal to acquire and retain information and the rate at which it alternates. It was tentatively suggested that the apparent differences in alternation rates of hamsters, ferrets, and rats could reflect species differences in learning and remembering.
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1. This investigation was partially supported by USPHS Grant MH 08545-03 to D. P. Kimble and by research funds to R. J. Kirkby from the N. S. W. Department of Public Health, with whose permission the paper is published.
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Kirkby, R.J., Lackey, G.H. Spontaneous alternation in Mesocricetus auratus: Age differences. Psychon Sci 10, 257–258 (1968). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331508
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331508