Several tests of stimulus-change and preference theory in relation to light-controlled behavior of rats.

Abstract

Light preference behavior and response-contingent light onset, offset, increase, and decrease were investigated in 4 experiments using 347 male albino rats. The principal purpose of the experiments was to compare the predictive adequacy of stimulus-change theory and stimulus-preference theory. The latter was far superior to the former in accuracy and detail of predictions. Behavior motivated by stimulus change in the form of discrepancy from pre-response stimulus level occurred early in testing simultaneously with preference behavior, but rapidly diminished in importance while preference behavior increasingly predominated.