Serial order learning in associative formation

Murray J Goddard; Emily E Maxan

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2004.03.020

Serial order learning in associative formation

Behav Processes. 2004 Sep 30;67(2):321-6. doi: 10.1016/j.beproc.2004.03.020.

Authors

Murray J Goddard¹, Emily E Maxan

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 5050, Saint John, NB, Canada. goddard@unbsj.ca

PMID: 15240059
DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2004.03.020

Abstract

Serial order learning was investigated in rats by delivering food to two spatially distinct feeders. All rats received three food pellets in feeder A delivered 10 min into the session. Three additional pellets were then delivered in feeder B after 20s, in Group Short (S), or 150 s, in Group Long (L). The rats in Group S learned the A-B association better than the rats in Group L. Of more interest, however, was that the rats in Group S showed more anticipatory responding to feeder A, suggesting subjects had better learned that feeder A delivered food "first". Implications for classical conditioning and serial order learning are considered.

Publication types

Evaluation Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Association*
Female
Learning / physiology*
Random Allocation
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley