Effects of Pre- and Post-Acquisition Maze Training in Mice

Abstract

Two experiments were designed to study the effects of pre- and post-acquisition maze training on a learned sensori-motor escape response in mice. In one experiment, habit-reversal training interpolated between acquisition and testing trials led to interference in the performance of the acquired response as revealed by an increase in errors made when Ss were tested for the initially acquired response. In the second experiment, previous training did not lead to interference with subsequent learning, as reflected in the response latencies and error scores. There was no appreciable change in response latency upon testing, indicating the possibility of motor learning during the interpolated training. The experiments suggest the utility provided by the design used with the maze described for the study of independent variables concerned with drugs, physiological, or behavioral factors.