The effects of training and effortfulness on rats’ choice behavior in a modified T-maze

Abstract

Rats were trained and tested in a modified T-maze in which one path to a goalbox was twice as long as the other. Both goal boxes contained food. One group of four rats received 60 training trials in the short alley alternated with 60 trials in the long alley before choice testing. Another group of six rats received 45 training trials in the short alley followed by 90 trials in the long alley. All animals received 120 choice trials in which both paths were available, conducted in eight blocks of 15 trials each. The equal-training group chose the short alley in all choice blocks, gradually increasing this preference. The second group, which received unequal training, chose the short path on only20% of the first 15 choice trials and then preferred the short alley in subsequent blocks. The results are compared to studies of contrafreeloading. © 1976, The Psychonomic Soceity, Inc.. All rights reserved.