Two experiments were performed to determine the relation of pattern area, background area, and pattern-background ratio to discrimination learning in the hooded rat. In Exp. 1 (triangle-circle discrimination) and Exp. 2 (diamond-square discrimination) a 1-sq. in. pattern placed on a 4-sq. in. background resulted in faster learning and a higher level of performance than three other pattern-background combinations. It was concluded that (a) supraliminal variation in stimulus-size is related to efficiency of discrimination learning, and (b) a unique combination of an optimal pattern and background area may be more critical than pattern area, background area, or pattern-background ratio per se.
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