Three experiments investigated critical variables influencing the development of autoshaping in a dark chamber. The context in which magazine-training occurred, length of intertrial interval, and CS intensity were the independent variables. Performance was best following magazine-training in the light; 60-sec. intertrial interval was better than 25; and little responding developed with a bright CS. These results are discussed with reference to the cue-localization hypothesis and a context-blocking effect.
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