title: Perceptual learning enhances retrospective revaluation of conditioned flavor preferences in rats.
abstract: Forward and backward blocking of taste preference learning was compared in rats. In the forward condition, thirsty rats were exposed to a flavor (A) in sucrose solution (+) or in water (-), after which they were exposed to A in compound with another flavor (B) in sucrose solution (i.e., AB+). In the backward condition, these phases were reversed. Consumption of B alone was assessed when rats were food deprived. In the forward condition, rats given A+ consumed less B than rats given A-, providing evidence of forward blocking, whereas in the backward condition, rats given A+ drank more of B than those given A-. Subsequent experiments found that alternating but not blocked preexposure to A and B, when given prior to training, produced blocking of B whether A+ was given before or after AB+, suggesting that prior failures to observe backward blocking reflect failures of discrimination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095, USA. balleine@psych.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Bernard W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Balleine
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Espinet
authors.forename: Felisa
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D005421:Flavoring Agents; D013395:Sucrose