Cats' performance on visual probability learning problems after prolonged training.

Spatial probability learning and brain stimulation in rats

“…As a group, Ss responded to the more frequently rewarded side 94.0% of the time over the last block of 1,000 trials. These findings are consistent with others (Mackintosh, 1967;Poland & Warren, 1968) noting the failure to obtain clear maximizing, and tend to support Mackintosh's interpretation that probability-Iearning scores represent quantitative rather than qualitative differences in learning. More surprising than the fmal level of performance under the conditions of the present experiment (massed trials, ICS reinforcement) is the speed at which it is reached.…”

Visual probability learning in the rat

“…Although the resemblance turns out upon analysis to be entirely superficial-the correspondence is an artifact of averaging in some cases and of systematic tendencies such as reward following and negative recency in others (Longo & Beideman, 1966;Poland & Warren, 1968;Weizman & Guthrie, 1968;Wilson, Oscar Bitterman, 1964)-it continues to be taken as evidence for the view that all of the data can be understood in terms of a common set of principles. According to Mackintosh (1969), for example, experiments on probability learning in rats, birds, and fishes show only quantitative differences in behavior.…”

Probability learning in rats reinforced with brain stimulation

“…Recently, such generalizations have been questioned (Mackintosh, 1967;Poland & Warren, 1968) particularly when animals are run for an extended number of trials. The purpose of the present experiment is to test the generality of maximizing behavior in rats run for large numbers of trials in situations usually producing c1ear maximizing.…”