Transfer of Learning between Matching (or Non-Matching)-To-Sample and Same-Different Discriminations in Rats

Abstract

Four experiments examined transfer of learning between matching (or nonmatching)-to-sample discriminations and samedifferent discriminations. In Experiment 1, rats trained with matching (or nonmatching)-to-sample discriminations learned their subsequent nonshift tasks, consisting of the novel stimuli and novel configurations, faster than subsequent shifted ones. In Experiment 2, rats trained with same-different discriminations learned very quickly their subsequent same-different tasks consisting of the novel stimuli and novel configurations. Of all the rats, 88% responded correctly on the first trial in Phase 2 transfer. In Experiment 3, rats trained with the matching (or nonmatching)to- sample discriminations facilitated subsequent same-different discriminations, relative to rats given either a simultaneous discrimination or a pseudo-discrimination training with the matching (or nonmatching)-to-sample discriminations. In Experiment 4, rats trained with the same-different discriminations facilitated · subsequent matching (or nonmatching)-to-sample discriminations, relative to rats given either a position discrimination or a pseudo-discrimination training with the samedifferent task. These findings suggest that the same mechanism governs the formation of associations between stimuli in both matching (or nonmatching)-to-sample discriminations and samedifferent discriminations.