The role of overlearning and drive level in reversal learning.

Abstract

In 1 experiment rats under 12 hr. or 36 hr. deprivation were "trained to one of three levels of mastery in running a four-unit straight-alley T maze in a single-alternation pattern, and then were" transferred to a pattern the reverse of original learning (OL). The 12 hr., maximum OL group showed marked savings on the reversal learning while the 36 hr. counterparts showed no transfer. The minimum OL animals showed negative transfer, the intermediate OL group, no transfer. In the 2nd experiment the animals were given maximum OL but "half the animals were trained originally with 12 and transferred at 36 hr. of food deprivation, while the other half had the reverse deprivation schedule." Positive transfer was shown by both groups. From Psyc Abstracts 36:01:1EM07B. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)