DISCRIMINATION ACQUISITION AND REVERSAL IN RAT AS A FUNCTION OF NUMBER OF NEGATIVE STIMULI

In 2 experiments on male Wistar rats (N = 28 and 36), acquisition and reversal of a simple brightness discrimination were evaluated as a function of the number of negative stimuli (1, Group 2; 2, Group 3; 4, Group 5) paired with a single positive stimulus. In reversal learning, groups with more negative stimuli consistently were significantly superior. Exp. I: Group 5 > Group 2, Group 3 > Group 2; Exp. II: Group 5 > Groups 2 or 3, Group 3 > Group 2. No significant group effects in acquisition were obtained. Results are discussed in relationship to the cue function of the negative stimulus and the overlearning reversal effect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.