title: Spatial learning based on the shape of the environment is influenced by properties of the objects forming the shape.
abstract: In 3 experiments rats had to find a submerged platform that was located in a corner of a kite-shaped pool. The color of the walls creating this corner provided an additional cue for finding the platform in the shape + color condition but not the shape-only condition. During tests in a pool with walls of a uniform color but no platform, more time was spent in the corner where the platform was originally located after training in the shape + color than in the shape-only condition. The results challenge theories that assume either that learning about the shape of the environment takes place in a dedicated module or that cues compete for the control they acquire over behavior.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Moira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Good
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pearce
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D004777:Environment; D005556:Form Perception; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013028:Space Perception; D013037:Spatial Behavior