The Effect of Cue on Reversal Learning After Varying Periods of Rest

Abstract

When the animal which has mastered discrimination learning is trained in the reversal learning, three possibilities may be considered. That is, the new learning is either inhibited, or facilitated or not effected by the previous training. Bunch (2) mentioned two factors in this transfer effect. According to him, X-factor concerning a solution of. the special problem in the original learning interferes with the reversal learning, while Y-factor signifying in general an adaptation to the experimental situation etc. facilitates the new learning. Marx (11) also referred to special and general factors in discussing his experimental results. If by the general factor is meant so-called' practice-effects', as Osgood ( 15) noted, it is undoubtedly true although its magnitude is difficult to measure.It seems uncertain, however, what the special factor implies, although it refers to such a special habit as right-turning in T-maze according to Munn (14).

Response shift as a function of overtraining and delay.

“…Significant differences were found in the performance of the immediate and delay groups on all measures used. Support is thus obtained for the earlier finding (Bunch, 1939;Murofushi, 1957) that a delay between training and transfer trials results in more efficient performance on transfer trials.…”

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Among the variables that have been found to influence the speed with which a reversal or shift of responses occurs in a discrimination learning situation are the degree of training (Capaldi & Stevenson, 1957; McCulloch & Pratt, 1934;Pubols, 1956;Reid, 1953) and the degree of temporal separation between learning and reversal periods (Bunch, 1939;Murofushi, 1957). There has been no systematic investigation of the interaction between these variables.

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Analysis of the role of overlearning in discrimination reversal.

“…It is interesting that in none of the relevant studies cited above was this factor evaluated. On the other hand, there exist at least three studies that report facilitation of reversal learning as a function of increased delay between acquisition and reversal training (Bunch, 1939;Murofushi, 1957;Stevenson & Weir, 1959). The relative contribution of the direct and indirect factors remains to be evaluated.…”

Overlearning and position reversal.

“…Second, in most overlearning studies (e.g., Birch, Ison, & Sperling, 1960;Bruner, Mandler, O'Dowd, & Wal-lach, 1958;Pubols, 1956;Reid, 1953) the overtraining trials were distributed over an extended period, some 12 to 30 days, while the control 5s were reversed immediately upon reaching acquisition criterion. Since there is some evidence that mere delay between acquisition and reversal serves to facilitate reversal learning (Bunch, 1939;Murofushi, 1957;Stevenson & Weir, 1959), the evaluation of this variable by the addition of an appropriate control group would seem advisable; such a control group is incorporated in two of the studies reported below.…”