INFLUENCE OF AGE ON SHORT-TERM RETENTION OF ACTIVE-AVOIDANCE LEARNING IN RATS

Naive albino Sprague-Dawley rats served as Ss in 3 experiments (N - 72, 128, and 28). Following training to a single avoidance, Ss aged 25 days or older uniformly showed poorest retention after intermediate retention intervals. This effect was not observed with younger Ss previously trained to a single avoidance. With increased level of original training, the Kamin effect was present in Ss aged 15-18 days. Fear-based hormonal explanations of the effect may be inadequate considering the apparently underdeveloped hormonal system at this age. (27 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.