title: Unsuccessful reinforcement of a discrete action in paramecia, P. caudatum.
abstract: Previous research into the possibility of learning in paramecium in this laboratory has shown that these organisms can learn to remain in a specific location based on cathode shock reinforcement. The present experiment was designed to assess whether paramecium could learn a discrete action as opposed to remaining in a specific area, using cathode shock as a reinforcer. Results for a sample of 40 indicate that such learning did not take place. It is possible that the learning of discrete actions requires a nervous system.
authors.affiliation: University of Toledo, Department of Psychology, Toledo, OH 43606, USA. catherine.mingee@rockets.utoledo.edu
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mingee
authors.forename: Harvard L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Armus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D004597:Electroshock; D004924:Escape Reaction; D048488:Paramecium caudatum; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology