82 HAROLD C. BINGHAM 



Table 14a is similarly presented to show evidence of pref- 

 erences during the first three training series. Perhaps the 

 outstanding feature of the behavior represented In table 14a Is 

 the change in preference of No. 27 from side to stimulus. This 

 change Is noticeable at the beginning of the third training 

 series when the two flicker stimuli were made more conspicu- 

 ously different by the addition of other visual differences. 

 With the introduction of a discrlmlnable visual complex there 

 occurred a noticeable change in the behavior of No. 27, Indicated 

 by six side changes and only three stimulus changes, whereas 

 the behavior of No. 24 and No. 25 did not noticeably change. As 

 indicated in tables 14 and 14a, No. 27 made comparatively 

 few changes In choice of sides and many changes In choice of 

 stimuli throughout the two preliminary series and the first two 

 training series. From the beginning of the third training 

 series this relative preference for side suddenly ceased and 

 persistence in choosing the + stimulus became dominant. 

 In the last 13 choices recorded for No. 27 in table 14a, only 

 one stimulus choice is — (wrong). ^ 



3. Quantification of the learning process 



In learning the primary maze task there are certain details 

 of behavior which are fairly measurable. The possibility of 

 quantitatively measuring these constant evidences of learning 

 was suggested when certain gradual changes were observed in 

 the chick's behavior towards the exit. During the prelim- 

 inary series, while the exits were open, there is little reason 

 for suspecting that the stimuli were of any significance to the 

 chick. After the exits had been closed in these preliminary 

 series, the stimuli became a factor attracting the chicks to the 

 electric compartments but the exit door was opened as soon as 

 the compartment was entered. The new requirement in the 

 training series was to go Into the compartment towards one of 

 the stimuli, to turn outwards at the furthermost end of the 

 electric compartment, and to step upon the tripping device 

 close to the unopened exit In a dark wall. The door of the 

 next exit was discernable during preliminary series from the 

 other portions of the wall, but much less clearly than in daylight 

 vision. 



^ Two + choices occurred at the end of the preceding series. 



