Spatial reversal learning by kittens

Position reversal deficit in young ferrets

Young ferrets (6 and 10 weeks old at the start of the experiments) were compared to adult ferrets on learning (1) a Lashley III maze, (2) a left-right discrimination in T-maze with identical choice arms, and (3) a reversal of the left-right discrimination. The young were not inferior to the adults in learning either the Lashley III maze or the initial discrimination in the T-maze. However, the young were markedly (and significantly) inferior to the adults in learning to reverse.

Spatial and Visual Probability Learning in the Kinkajou

A female kinkajou was trained on both spatial and visual (brightness) probability learning problems. Results on the 70:30 spatial task involving a correction procedure indicated that S maximized within 160 trials. Training on a 50:50 spatial task was interspersed between the 70:30 spatial task and the visual tasks. The first visual task introduced was a 60:40 brightness discrimination involving a correction procedure and which lasted for 980 trials. This was followed by a 70:30 brightness task involving a noncorrection procedure which lasted for 1000 trials. Results on both brightness tasks showed non-random (reward following) matching. The results of both the spatial and visual tasks were interpreted in terms of Bitterman's phyletic hypothesis of intelligence.