Transfer of learning between concurrent and matching (or non-matching)-to-sample discriminations in rats

Three experiments examined transfer of learning between a concurrent discri mination and a matching (or non-matching)-to-sample discrimination in rats. In Experiment 1, rats were trained to criterion (group NOT) or were overtr ained (group OT) on two concurrent discriminations. Subsequently, group OT learned a matching (or non-matching) task more rapidly than did group NOT. In Experiment 2, rats were initially given matching (or nonmatching) tasks and then given whole or half reversal with these tasks. Group whole reverse d faster than group half. In Experiment 3, two groups of rats were trained on matching (or non-matching) tasks, and then given concurrent discriminati on training, followed by either whole or half reversal training (groups mat ching and non-matching). Another group (group control) received a pseudo-di scrimination followed by the same training in Phases 2 and 3 as groups matc hing and non-matching. In groups matching and non-matching, rats learned th e whole reversal more rapidly than the half reversal. But the opposite resu lt was observed in group control. These findings suggest that transfer effe cts reported in Experiments 1 and 2 are governed by the same mechanism for the formation of associations between stimuli.