Qualitative differences in the effects of food and water on learned behavior

Abstract

Experimental interest for the present research stemmed from the traditionally accepted notion that qualitatively different reinforcers, such as food and water, have similar effects on learning. The present investigation examined the rat's ability to learn an alternation and a position habit for food or water reward by using an incentive-oriented approach. It was found that food rewarded animals were superior to the water rewarded on the alternation habit but inferior on the position habit.