Abstract：
In three experiments, animals were required to learn about the presence or absence of a hidden platform in a swimming pool. This was determined with reference to different patterned landmarks. In Experiment 1, the presence of a spotted or a striped cue indicated the position of the platform, while the combination of patterns, a half-spotted and half-striped cue, predicted the absence of the goal (i.e., negative patterning). In Experiment 2 the task was redesigned to better represent a locale navigation task. Rats received the same discrimination task, but it took place in an equilateral triangle with landmarks positioned on the walls of the arena. The hidden platform (if present) was located in one corner of the triangle. Experiment 3 used a more complex negative patterning discrimination in the triangular swimming pool to help dissociate between the unique cue and configural associative learning theories. Experiment 1 and 2 provides the first instance of negative patterning in a spatial task, while Experiment 3 provides initial evidence that some rats may represent compound stimuli in a way explained by the unique cue theory of associative learning. This begins to elucidate the underlying of associate principles that guide learning in the spatial domain.
摘要：
在三个实验中，动物被要求了解游泳池中是否存在隐藏平台。这是参考不同的图案化地标确定的。在实验1中，斑点或条纹提示的存在表明了平台的位置，而模式的组合，一个半斑点半条纹的球杆,预测目标的缺失(即，负图案）。在实验2中，重新设计了任务，以更好地表示区域设置导航任务。老鼠接受了同样的辨别任务，但是它发生在等边三角形中，地标位于竞技场的墙壁上。隐藏的平台（如果存在）位于三角形的一个角。实验3在三角形游泳池中使用了更复杂的负面模式判别，以帮助在独特的提示和配置的联想学习理论之间进行分离。实验1和2提供了空间任务中负面模式的第一个实例，而实验3提供了初步证据，表明某些大鼠可能以联想学习的独特线索理论所解释的方式代表复合刺激。这开始阐明指导空间领域学习的关联原则的基础。
