DISTRIBUTION OF EFFORT IN LEARNING IN WHITE RAT 51 



advantageous: those animals working by the one trial method 

 on each of the three problems mastered them with fewer trials 

 than the animals working either by the three trial or the five 

 trial method. Second, when three problems are learned abreast 

 a much larger number of trials is required to learn each of the 

 problems than would have been required if the animal had been 

 allowed to learn (by the same distribution of practice) only one 

 problem at a time. 



4. From these statements, it is conclusively shown that when 

 trials are distributed over several days and not accumulated all 

 in one day learning is then most economical, and physiologically 

 there is less transformation of energy. 



5. On the other hand when trials are distributed over several 

 days many more days are necessary to establish a habit than 

 when several trials are given on one day. In order that a prob- 

 lem or problems be learned in a few days, several trials daily, 

 five or more, are required. 



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