Acquisition of Knowledge about Spatial Location: Assessing the Generality of the Mechanism of Learning

Open Access

1 February 2003

journal article
research article
Published by SAGE Publications in The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology

Vol. 56 (1b) , 102-113
https://doi.org/10.1080/02724990244000205

Abstract

A selection of studies in the last 20 years is reviewed. These studies show basic Pavlovian phenomena in the spatial domain (like blocking, overshadowing, latent inhibition, and perceptual learning) with nonhuman subjects, specifically with rats, both in the radial maze and in the circular pool. The generality of these phenomena with respect to other species and to other spatial preparations is also discussed. The conclusion is that the mechanism responsible for the acquisition of knowledge about spatial location seems to be associative in nature.

Keywords

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