The feature-positive effect and sign-tracking behavior during discrimination learning in the rat

Abstract

Feature-positive (FP) and feature-negative (FN) successive discrimination learning was investigated in the rat. When a discrete, visual element serving to differentiate the discriminanda belonged to S+ (FP), rats acquired the discrimination more rapidly than when it formed a part of S- (FN). During the course of training, FP rats developed a tendency to direct their responding toward the differentiating feature in S+ while FN rats shifted their responding away from this element in S-. These findings were discussed in terms of the conceptions of stimulus-reinforcer relations and "sign-tracking" behavior. © 1979 Psychonomic Society, Inc.