Abstract
Two experimental groups (E1 and E2) were first trained in a runway before being transferred to a T-maze in which they received the same number of acquisition trials as a control group (C), which had no prior runway training. Group E2 differed from Group E1 in that it received extinction trials in the runway before being transferred to the T-maze. None of the three groups received any pretraining in either apparatus. It was found that Group E2 made significantly more correct choices in the T-maze than either Group El or Group C. Similarly, Group E1 was superior to Group C. These results, in conjunction with other similar findings, point to the importance of investigating runway training as a potent independent variable having marked effects upon T-maze behavior.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
COTTON, J. W., LEWIS, D. J., & METZGER, R. Running behavior as a function of apparatus and of restriction of goal box activity. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1958, 51, 336–341.
DENENBERG, V. H., & KLINE, N. J. Stimulus intensity versus critical periods: A test of two hypotheses concerning infantile stimulation. Canadian Journal of Psychology, 1964, 18, 1–5.
Du PREEZ, P. D. The persistence of some effects of handling in infancy on the behavior of the adult rat. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1964, 16, 147–155.
LIBERMAN, A. M. A comparison of transfer effects during acquisition and extinction of two instrumental responses. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1951, 41, 192–198.
SHANAB, M. E. Effects of prior exploration on subsequent discrimination learning. Psychonomic Science, 1965, 2, 329–330.
SPERLING, S. E., & VALLE, F. P. Handling-gentling as a positive secondary reinforcer. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1964, 67, 573–576.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shanab, M.E., Cotton, J.W. Effects of runway training on behavior in the T-maze. Psychon Sci 19, 129–130 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335510
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335510