22 STELLA B. VINCENT 



CONCLUSIONS 



The conclusion seems justified that such a contrast in bright- 

 ness between two roads is exceedingly effective with these ani- 

 mals as they learn the maze. It gives increased accuracy, as 

 is shown both in initial and total decrease of errors, and in a 

 decrease of total time. So far it seems advantageous, yet there 

 was a final inaccuracy greater than normal and a lesser final 

 speed. 



There were no outward signs of discrimination such as marked 

 avoidance, quick reaction, noticeable change of behavior with 

 change of stimulus. There was no lingering in one path or 

 another which might indicate an instinctive preference. There 

 was only a slower, perhaps a more cautious, activity in which 

 random movements were inhibited in both initial and early 

 trials prior to any effects of learning. 



If the difference is not due to discrimination, and we have 

 no evidence from the behavior or the nature of the curve as 

 ordinarily interpreted that it is, what has caused the different 

 character of the learning ? All who have worked with animals 

 know that a stimulus may be effective although not discrimi- 

 nated. In such a case as this, where two widely differing degrees 

 of brightness were used, one may have been more directive, 

 more potent, more attractive than the other. Professor Carr 

 suggests the phrase ' dominance of a stimulus." This would 

 tend to attract the animal's attention either to the white or to 

 the black pathway. 



It was said above that the different behavior was seen " prior 

 to any effect of learning." It must be remembered, however, that 

 such a problem is solved not by one act but by a series of acts 

 and hence there may be learning within the trial itself. If the 

 second trial is influenced by the first, if learning has begun, 

 where did it begin ? Learning the maze is not at all like a 

 single act, jumping a certain distance, for example. In a prob- 

 lem of this kind, which takes so long a time, it clearly may 

 begin in the first attempt. As the animals enter this maze they 

 are in the true path be it black or white. The first error, to 

 the right, is barred almost immediately, probably by kinaes- 

 thesis. It is seldom made again except in times of great con- 

 fusion. The true path includes first, a run to the left half way 

 across the maze, then a turn, and then a clear run across one 



