Discrimination reversal in the goldfish as a function of training conditions.

Performed 3 experiments on goldfish (n = 11, 24, and 10, respectively) and found that Ss showed progressive improvement in red-green discrimination reversal under a variety of training conditions, the amount of improvement varying with conditions. Exposing the animals to S+ during reinforcement had the greatest facilitating effect on performance of the several modifications introduced. The use of a center key, response to which was required for presentation of the discriminanda, also produced substantial facilitation. However, feeding Ss at the locus of response was of relatively minor importance, and increasing the duration of unreinforced exposure to S- had no effect. Some questions about the relation between improvement in goldfish and improvement in more advanced animals are considered. (20 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)