Stimulus-Change Effects of Forcing in Alternation Behavior

Abstract

To test the hypothesis that forcing left or right in a T-maze produces more alternation because of the stimulus-change resulting from subsequent removal of the arm barrier, rats were given free-choice trials and forced trials with a wooden barrier (favouring a high degree of change) and with a transparent barrier (favouring a lower degree of change). Although alternation was unaffected by the three conditions, the percentage of first investigatory responses directed toward the alternate arm on Trial 2 was highest following forcing with the wooden barrier. It was concluded that a stimulus-change explanation for the effects of forcing was acceptable if these first investigatory responses were acknowledged as indices of initial attraction of attention by an arm.