The formation of learning sets by cats.

Abstract

Four cats were tested on 340 object discrimination (OD) problems and four cats on 128 sign-differentiated position (SDP) discriminations. Both groups manifested a significant interproblem transfer; inter-problem and intraproblem learning of the SDP problems was markedly inferior to performance on the OD problems at all comparable stages of practice. Eight cats were tested on 64 OD and 64 SDP discriminations. A significant degree of inter-problem learning was observed, and performance on the OD problems was significantly superior to performance on the SDP discriminations. It was concluded that cats show less interproblem transfer and reach an apparently asymptotic level of performance much sooner than monkeys. The final level of attainment is much lower in cats, largely because of the persistence of marked stimulus perseveration, even after very prolonged training.