Qualitative Reward Shift in the Double Runway

Ten rats received 90 trials, one per day, in an L‐shaped double runway. For 70 acquisition trials reward in both goal boxes was two 45 mg standard diet Noyes pellets. On 10 of the subsequent 20 test trials reward in the first goal box was changed to two 45 mg sucrose pellets (a preferred food). During the test period first alley run times fell below the training level. Second alley start times following sucrose were greater than those following normal reward, although this difference decreased over trials. There was no difference between second alley run times following normal and shifted reward. Results are discussed in relation to ‘elation’ effects following a quantitative upshift in reward

Animal science · Audiology · Pellets · Runway · Significant difference · Test (biology) · Adipose Tissue and Metabolism · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Pharmacological Effects and Assays · Psychology