EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS 

 I. Learning 



As originally outlined in the general plan of research in 

 this study of retention every group of rats, following a 

 certain method in learning, retention, and redintegration, 

 should total at least ten. As the work progressed, however, 

 and unforeseen difficulties and varying circumstances pre- 

 sented themselves, it was found that the original plan could 

 not be adhered to; and, furthermore, it was seen that neces- 

 sity did not demand a rigid following of the set rule. Each 

 group therefore is not uniform in number. 



Throughout the learning period of all rats, a general 

 similarity in the behavior of each group has been noticed. 

 The " cautious treading of the pathway in the early trials," 

 the " hesitancy on leaving an explored alley to enter a 

 new one," the " excitement on encountering a stop," the 

 " usual increase of activity on drawing closer to the center," 

 and other characteristics of early learning were noted care- 

 fully. Whether this general behavior is due to " hunger," 

 " curiosity," "fear," " some kinaesthetic sensibility," or 

 a combination of any or all of these can not be definitely 

 stated; but, in part, it may be said to be due to response 

 to stimuli from environment. 



That this behavior does not persist throughout the 

 whole learning process is certain. It is to be noted that 

 this general behavior as above stated is only the beginning 

 of subsequent integration. After the first few trials it may 

 be noted that integration begins to develop more definitely, 

 finally resulting in increase of speed until the norm is reached. 



This treatise is not one on learning. Be that as it may, 

 before treating of retention and redintegration a careful 

 perusal of learning experiments on the maze, to date, has 

 forced us to a reconsideration of maze learning in order 

 to analyze, briefly, for our purpose the process of the elim- 

 ination of " error," and thus the acquirement of integration 

 of movement necessary in the perfect maze habit. 



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