Overcoming unlearned response biases: delayed escape following errors facilitates acquisition of win-stay and win-shift working memory water-escape tasks in rats

Previous research has demonstrated that perseveration in escape situations is an unlearned response bias of rats and mice which is difficult to overcome. In Experiment I, Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to a criterion of nine correct choices in 10 consecutive trials in a win-stay working memory water-escape task wherein an escape platform was hidden in one of two compartments. Subjects were given a forced choice on an Information Trial followed by a free choice on a Test Trial 5 min later. Subjects who were given a 30-s forced swim in the incorrect section following errors on the Test Trial showed faster acquisition and less use of response perseveration than control subjects. In Experiment II, the delayed escape procedure was used to compare acquisition of win-stay and win-shift strategies. Contrary to previous research both groups learned the tasks, although the win-stay group showed better performance. It is concluded that unlearned response biases of perseverating and returning to previous escape sites can be overcome if experimental conditions are appropriately arranged.