Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of different early environments on specific cross-modal transfer (CMT) in rats, using a direct vs. reversal transfer paradigm. At weaning, littermates were divided into two groups: EC, reared in an enriched environment, and IC, reared in an impoverished environment. All animals remained in their respective environments until 96 days of age, at which time they were trained on a visual intensity discrimination. Upon completion of visual training, they received an auditory intensity discrimination (transfer). Both the EC and IC groups showed specific CMT; however, there was no difference between the two groups in the magnitude of the transfer effect. Furthermore, learning ability in the visual modality was equivalent for both groups. The results suggest that specific CMT of intensity is not affected by differential early environmental experience. Some possible explanations are discussed.
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This research was supported in part by USPHS Grant MH 10972 to the second author. The present address of the senior author is Harvard Neurological Unit, Beth Israel Hospital, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215.
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Yeterian, E.H., Wilson, W.A. Cross-modal transfer in rats following different early environments. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 7, 551–553 (1976). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337280
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337280