An experimental analysis of the spatial location hypothesis in learning.

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Abstract
The present writers report on further experimental tests of Tolman's spatial learning situation. When the central pathway used during the training trials was blocked off during the test trial it was found that the highest number of choices were to paths immediately adjacent. When the blocked off pathway was removed entirely the number of choices to adjacent pathways diminished markedly. When 9 days preliminary training was given in place of the 4 days previously used there was no significant difference in the number of animals selecting the direct goal-pointing pathway. Lengthening portions of the training pathway which pointed away from the goal had no effect on goal-pointing pathway selection in test trials. When animals were given a test trial without preliminary training there was a marked tendency to select central pathways if the training alley was in place, and to select peripheral pathways if the training pathway was removed. The authors conclude that their results are partially explainable in terms of apparatus artifact, and suggest the same possibility for Tolman's results. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

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