AMOUNT OF POSITION RESPONDING IN DISCRIMINATION REVERSAL AND SPEED OF REVERSAL

After training to criterion on a visual discrimination with simultaneous stimulus presentation, 17 male hooded rats were given reversal training with stimulus positions either determined by the same semirandom schedule that had been used in acquisition or by a response-contingent procedure that has been shown to reduce position responding if used during acquistion. Reduced position responding was also observed in reversal with this procedure, and the group that did less position responding during reversal reversed faster. These results were compared to data showing that overtraining on an initial problem also reduces the amount of position responding during reversal but does not result consistently in faster reversal. A possible necessary condition for the observation of faster reversal with less position responsibility is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.