title: Differential reinforcement effects in rats reared in enriched and impoverished environments.
abstract: Comparison of the effects of environmental enrichment (EC) and impoverishment (IC) on learning in the rat is hindered by difficulty in distinguishing, experimentally, EC/IC differences in learning capacity per se from differences in performance-related variables such as sensory or motor ability, activity and motivation. Experiments are described which analyse EC/IC performance differences in a simple lever-press training procedure. In particular the hypothesis that EC and IC rats may be differentially reinforced by the same response-contingent events is examined. The data firmly support this hypothesis and possible explanations of the differential reinforcement effect are examined.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D004777:Environment; D005502:Food; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D013016:Sound; D014110:Touch