For the first 10 trials rats simply explore a maze, with no reward. For the next ten trials they receive a food reward for going to the goal box. Learning appears to occur as fast for this group as for a group that received 20 consecutive reinforced trials. What was the explanation?
A) Tolman's latent learning
B) Pavlov's classical conditioning
C) Skinner's intermittent reinforcement
D) Thorndike's stamping in

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tolman's latent learning suggests that learning can occur even without reinforcement or reward, and that the knowledge is stored and can be used when there is a motivation or incentive to do so. In this case, the rats may have been exploring the maze and forming a mental map without any direct reinforcement, and this knowledge was then utilized when the reward was introduced in the second set of trials.

For the First 10 Trials Rats Simply Explore a Maze