Operation of Conflict in Selective and Reversal Learning

Abstract

Blocks of free and forced reinforced trials were combined to provide rats swimming underwater in a Y-maze with one of two levels of conflict. Strong conflict was induced by requiring animals to make 4 left and 3 right reinforced runs within each block; weak conflict by 4 left and 1 right per block. In reversal, all animals were given successive blocks of 6 reinforced rights and 1 reinforced left. Findings were that strong conflict reliably retarded rate of learning during acquisition and further significantly delayed reversal responding. The analyses also centered on the differential role of drive and conflict on temporal and choice behavior measures. Finally, both methodological and theoretical aspects of the results were discussed.