Response Alternation After Two Forced Turns on the Same Elevated Alleys as a Function of Inter-Trial Intervals in the White Rat

EFFECT OF INTERTRIAL INTERVAL AND REMOVAL OF THE SUPRAPHARYNGEAL GANGLION UPON SPONTANEOUS ALTERNATION IN THE EARTHWORM, <I>PHERETIMA COMMUNISSIMA</I>

“…No significant difference in VTE was observed between the massed and spaced groups, nor was found a significant correlation between alternation and VTE. Similarly, Wayner & Zellner (1958) found an insignificant correlation between amount of alternation and number of negative movements at and after the choice point in the earthworm and the same insignificant (Iwahara, Matsubara, & Washiyama, 1958). Independence of the two variables seems to be inconsistent with stimulus satiation theory, since the animal which shows more VTEs would be more sensitive to stimulus cues at the choice point and thus it would alternate more often if the theory is correct.…”

“…These apparently contradictory findings might be due to the possible interference effect of the animal's behaviors in the detention box during intertrial interval upon the next run as well as the loss of set or adaptation during the period for the spaced animal. However, this hypothesis is not very convincing because it must be further explained why the same interference effect is negligible in the rat behavior since the spaced rat was observed to run faster than the massed rat (Fujita, 1955;Iwahara, Matsubara, & Washiyama, 1958). This discrepancy might be due to the difference in degree or quality of motivation between the lower organism and the rat in maze running.…”

Japanese Studies on Animal Behavior in the Last Decade.

“…But none of these positions cannot explain inter-trial spontaneous alternation. Iwahara et al (1958) found that intra-trial alternation in rats is best explained by inhibition factor (both external and internal) rather than by centrifugal swing and thigmotaxis. However, intra-trial response alternation in the lower organism must be explained by thigmotaxis or centrifugal swing because Iwahara's study (1960a) shows no inter-trial alternation, nor any significant difference in alternation between massed and spaced groups of Armadillidium vu/gare.…”