Autoshaping and instrumental learning in the rat.

Conducted 2 experiments to compare the effectiveness of P. L. Brown and H. M. Jenkins's (see record 1968-06958-001) autoshaping procedure with that of instrumental conditioning in the establishment and maintenance of instrumental responding. Ss were 40 male and 32 female Long-Evans rats. In a leverpressing situation, with presentation of the lever signaling trial onset, the 2 procedures were equally effective. When illumination of a key signaled trial onset and the response was pressing the key, the instrumental-training procedure was superior to the autoshaping procedure in establishing and maintaining instrumental responding. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)