"Cognitive" learning in the absence of competition of incentives.

Abstract

Using a single-unit T-maze one group of rats was run while satiated for food and water with food and water in the right goal box and another satiated group with food and water in the left goal box. After 14 trials both groups were run under a 24-hour hunger and thirst drive. Results indicated that both groups showed evidence of learning the location of the food and water. "The significance of this result for a decision between cognition and S-R theories is lessened by the fact that there appears to be a significant preference for the side on which the incentive is found even during the satiated runs. It appears that the secondary reinforcing effect of food and water as incentives is at least in some degree dissociated from the primary drives." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)