Savings tests: separating differences in rate of learning from differences in initial levels.

Abstract

Three experiments used a Pavlovian magazine-approach procedure in rats to explore, in 3 theoretically interesting cases, the inferences made from savings tests. In each experiment, a compound test procedure allowed the separation of differences in rate of acquiring new associative learning from differences in initial level of associative strength. Experiment 1 found that the slower acquisition after prior nonreinforced exposure (latent inhibition) reflected differences in learning rate, not initial level. By contrast, Experiments 2 and 3 found that the higher performance observed to a previously trained and extinguished stimulus, and lower performance observed to a conditioned inhibitor, both arose primarily because of differences in initial associative value. These experiments illustrate the usefulness of a novel testing procedure in sharpening the conclusions from savings procedures.