The effect of frustration and reduced spatial cues on visual discrimination and reversal learning in rats

Abstract

Abstract Three experiments are described in which discrimination and reversal learning of a visual discrimination were examined in the presence and absence of visual cues to spatial position. In the first experiment rats learned a vertical-horizontal discrimination and reversal. The rate of learning of the initial discrimination and the reversal was not related to the presence or absence of the visual cues to position. In the second experiment rats learned a more difficult light grey-dark grey discrimination and reversal. Subjects for whom visual cues to position were reduced were slower to learn both the discrimination and the reversal. In the third experiment a period of frustration training, i.e. experience with an insoluble problem, preceded the discrimination learning. The frustration training interfered with the acquisition of the discrimination but the rate of learning was not related to the presence or absence of visual position cues.