Factors involved in the acquisition of a maze habit, analyzed by means of tranquilizing and sedative drugs.

Abstract

44 female albino rats were selected from about 550 on the basis of their completely exploring a single-unit T maze and a 4 unit T maze. 20 of the animals were run under control conditions, 12 under nembutal and 12 under meprobamate. Trials 10, 11, and 12 were run subsequently with all animals under normal conditions, 23 hrs. food deprived with food and water in the end goal box. Control Ss showed a classical latent learning function on both time errors and scores. Nembutal animals showed an increase in time and errors following introduction of reward while meprobamate animals showed a reduction in time scores and a low number of errors. The results are discussed in terms of curiosity, activity and fear as the main elements involved in learning. From Psyc Abstracts 36:02:2DK50B. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)