Effect of Crowding and Litter Size on Retention and Reversal Learning by Rats

Abstract

A total of 211 male and female rats from litters of 4, 7, or 11 were placed 1, 2, 3, or 4/cage until they were about 84 days old. At this time they were trained to make a position response while, food-deprived and 24 hr. later were tested for retention followed by reversal learning. No significant main effects were found for any stage of training. A positive correlation between trials to criterion and retention suggests that retention may have been facilitated by learning to learn or transfer.