Ontogeny of active avoidance in the rat: Learning and memory

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Abstract
Ontogenetic development of active avoidance learning, extinction and retention was studied in rats. The learning of a 1‐way active avoidance was most rapid between Weeks 4 and 6, although some slight gender‐related differences were evident. No such unambiguous development was detected in forced extinction. The 24‐hr retention of avoidance peaked at the age of 4 weeks whereas 1‐month retention was best in animals trained at the age of 8 weeks. The retrieval of memory trace also had best values at these ages. Retention of forced extinction was found to peak in 6‐week animals. The existence of developmental “critical periods” must be considered cautiously as various functions have different time courses depending upon the chosen parameters in assessment.