T-MAZE LEARNING WITH ONE TRIAL PER DAY USING BRAIN STIMULATION REINFORCEMENT

Electrical stimulation of the brain is an effective reinforcer in simple learning situations when trials are separated by as much as 15 min. 13 rats with electrodes in the lateral hypothalamus were trained on a position discrimination with trials separated by 24 hr., and subsequently on reversal problems. 11 Ss learned the original discrimination; 9 of 10 Ss tested completed 1 reversal; and all 6 tested Ss completed a 2nd reversal. 1 S was tested further and completed 7 reversals. In the successful cases, reinforcing properties of electrical stimulation were sufficient to induce learning of a discrimination problem even though trials were separated by 24 hr. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1968 American Psychological Association.