Bidirectional contrast, matching, and power functions obtained in sucrose consumption by rats

Abstract

Rats were given alternating 1-min access to two tubes containing sucrose solutions that varied in concentraton (32% vs. 2%, 32% vs. 4%, 32% vs. 8%, and 32% vs. 16%). Lick rate for 32% sucrose was higher when the alternative tube contained a lower concentration solution than when both tubes contained 32% (a positive-contrast effect), and lick rate for the lower concentration solution (2%, 4%, 8%, or 16%) was lower when the alternative tube contained 32% than when both tubes contained the lower concentration solution (negative contrast effect). Proportion of licks made for 32% under contrast conditions tended to match the proportion of concentration available from that tube. Regression analysis of the ratio of licks made to the two tubes under contrast conditions as a function of ratio of concentrations available indicated a good fit to a power function with an exponent of 1.13, within the range of those typically found in human magnitude estimation studies of relative sweetness.