Influence of Amount of Reward in a Complex Learning Situation

Abstract

28 hooded rats received 4 pellets of food for every run in a 4-unit multiple-Y maze, while 25 others received 1 pellet. Prior to the maze problem, Ss had received different reward experiences in a straight alley as follows: some had always received 4 pellets, some always 1 pellet, some had received mixed reward amounts, and some had no previous reward experience. Y-maze performance was not reliably related to the previous reward experience in the linear maze, and further research is needed before it will be possible to assess the influence of previous reward experience on contemporary learning. Errors and speed measures in the Y maze were influenced by contemporary reward amount.