Transfer of Learning between Concurrent and Matching (or Non-matching)-to-Sample Discriminations in Rats

Abstract

Three experiments examined transfer of learning between a concurrent discrimination and a matching (or non-matching)-to-sample discrimination in rats. In Experiment 1, rats were trained to criterion (group NOT) or were overtrained (group OT) on two concurrent discriminations. Subsequently, group OT learned a matching (or non-matching) task more rapidly than did group NOT. In Experiment 2, rats were initially given matching (or nonmatching) tasks and then given whole or half reversal with these tasks. Group whole reversed faster than group half. In Experiment 3, two groups of rats were trained on matching (or non-matching) tasks, and then given concurrent discrimination training, followed by either whole or half reversal training (groups matching and non-matching). Another group (group control) received a pseudo-discrimination followed by the same training in Phases 2 and 3 as groups matching and non-matching. In groups matching and non-matching, rats learned the whole reversal more rapidly than the half reversal. But the opposite result was observed in group control. These findings suggest that transfer effects reported in Experiments 1 and 2 are governed by the same mechanism for the formation of associations between stimuli.