Learning about environmental geometry: An associative model.

• DOI: 10.1037/0097-7403.33.3.191
• Publication Date: 2007-07-10T13:09:05Z
• Authors: Noam Y. Miller; Sara J. Shettleworth
• Keywords: Associative learning; Blocking (statistics); Enclosure; Independence; Associative property

K. Cheng (1986) suggested that learning the geometry of enclosing surfaces takes place in a geometric module blind to other spatial information. Failures find blocking or overshadowing by features near goal seem consistent with this view. The authors present an operant model which competes learning, as Rescorla-Wagner model. Relative total associative strength cues at location determines choice and thus frequencies reward paired each cue. shows how competitive local can appear result potentiation, blocking, independence, depending on enclosure shape kind features. reproduces numerous findings from dry arenas water mazes.