In an effort to determine the relationship between rate of learning and the absolute value of the amount of work involved in responding, 4 groups of rats were run in a learning problem consisting of a T-maze that required the operation of levers at varying pressures. Four different absolute weight values were used, the ratio between the weights required to depress the levers being kept constant (H/L = 1.5/1.0). Results showed that increasing absolute weight values gave quicker learning, while the time data indicated no significant relationship between learning and time consumed in running the maze. These results are related to Hull's deduction that, in an alternative response situation in which the temporal factor is equalized, animals will develop a preference for the response requiring less effort. They also indicate that this preference increases with increase in the absolute amount of work involved in the two responses while their work ratio is held constant. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)