Competition between landmarks in spatial learning: the role of proximity to the goal.
In two experiments, rats were trained to find a hidden platform in a Morris pool in the presence of two landmarks. Landmark B was present on all training trials, on half the trials accompanied by landmark A, on the remainder by landmark C. For rats in Group Bn, B was near the location of the platform; for those in Group Bf, B was far from the platform. Group Bn performed better than Group Bf on test trials to B alone, but significantly worse on test trials to a new configuration formed by A and C. Thus, the spatial proximity of B to the platform affected not only how well it could be used to locate the platform, but also its ability to prevent learning about other landmarks.
Chamizo
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VD
Universitat de Barcelona, Facultat de Psicologia, Departament de Psicologia Bàsica, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. victoria.diez.chamizo@ub.edu
Manteiga
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RD
Rodrigo
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Mackintosh
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NJ
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D004924:Escape Reaction; D005260:Female; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology*