Two rats are placed in a free-operant avoidance situation.For rat #1,the S-S interval is 2 seconds.For rat #2,the S-S interval is 5 seconds.What will likely be the relative rates of learning the avoidance response?
A) Rat #1 will learn more quickly than rat #2.
B) Rat #2 will learn more quickly than rat #1.
C) The rats will learn the response at the same rate.
D) Neither rat will learn the response.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rat #1 will likely learn more quickly than rat #2 because the shorter the S-S interval, the more quickly an avoidance response is typically learned. With a shorter interval, there is less time for the rat to forget the relationship between the S (the signal that predicts the aversive event) and the response required to avoid it. Rat #2 may still learn the avoidance response, but it will likely take longer due to the longer S-S interval.

Two Rats Are Placed in a Free-Operant Avoidance Situation