Research article summary (published 26 Mar 2008):

Rule learning by rats.

Full Abstract

Using rules extracted from experience to solve problems in novel situations involves cognitions such as analogical reasoning and language learning and is considered a keystone of humans' unique abilities. Nonprimates, it has been argued, lack such rule transfer. We report that Rattus norvegicus can learn simple rules and apply them to new situations. Rats learned that sequences of stimuli consistent with a rule (such as XYX) were different from other sequences (such as XXY or YXX). When novel stimuli were used to construct sequences that did or did not obey the previously learned rule, rats transferred their learning. Therefore, rats, like humans, can transfer structural knowledge from sequential experiences.

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Author information

Author/s: Murphy, Robin A (RA); Mondragón, Esther (E); Murphy, Victoria A (VA);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. robin.murphy(-atsign-)ucl.ac.uk

Grants: (Agency:United Kingdom Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.) (Science), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Mar; vol 319 (issue 5871) : pp 1849-51

Dates: Created 2008/03/28; Completed 2008/04/09;

PMID: 18369151, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals Cognition Cues Learning

Male Rats Reinforcement (Psychology) Transfer (Psychology)

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