Observational learning of instrumental discriminations in the rat: the role of demonstrator type.
In two experiments, observer rats saw a pretrained demonstrator rat of either the same or a different strain engaging in a discrimination task in which the presentation of a discriminative stimulus indicated whether performing a particular response (pulling a chain) would be reinforced. In both experiments an effect of demonstrator familiarity was found: Observers of a demonstrator from a different strain behaved in a manner that was consistent with the demonstrator whereas observers of a demonstrator from the same strain did not. These results suggest that an effect akin to latent inhibition operates in the social domain: Familiarity with the demonstrator retards the readiness with which observational learning proceeds.
Saggerson
A L
AL
School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Honey
R C
RC
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D007100:Imitative Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D051381:Rats; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis