Interactions between internal, series-based and external, spatial cues in a serial learning discrimination

Daniel Joseph Miller, Purdue University

Abstract

Three experiments investigated the interactions between internal, series-based and external, spatial cues in serial learning discrimination. Rats were trained on a radial-arm maze with the relevance of internal and external cues varied across groups and training phases. In Experiment 1, overshadowing of internal cues by external cues was evidenced in rats initially trained with both cue dimensions relevant and later shifted to internal cues alone relevant. Experiment 2 provides evidence for the blocking of internal cues by prior training on external cues. Conversely, Experiment 3 demonstrates blocking of external cues by prior training on internal cues. These findings suggest that internal and external cues interact with each other as different external cues interact with each other.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Capaldi, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Psychology|Experiments|Psychobiology

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