Ruch, F. L. (1935). Experimental studies of the factors influencing the difficulty of blind alleys in linear mazes. II. Generalized-turning habits. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 20(1), 35-52.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0062257
10 rats were run for a food reward on a linear maze of the pattern RRLRRR and a similar group of 10 was trained on a mirror image of that pattern, LLRLLL. The results warranted combination of the data of both groups. "As learning advanced the relative difficulty of blind alley number 3 increased. This was attributed to the appearance of a generalized-turning habit engendered by the learning of the maze." These results would be predicted, according to certain assumptions of the author, on the basis of the goal gradient. When 16 rats learned the dry maze LRRLLR and entries into alleys 3 and 5 were expressed as percentages of all of the entries into the homogeneous alley immediately preceding, blind 3, father from the goal, showed more difficulty than blind 5, closer to the goal. The author points out that an anticipation factor should have favored errors in 5. When 39 rats were trained in an escape-from-water maze of the same pattern as the above, the results were in the same direction, but more marked. Analysis of the data of previous investigators shows that the generalized habit is of decreased potency when operating near the goal. The differential difficulty of blinds 3 and 5 in the LRRLLR sequence is greater in the water than in the dry maze. The generalized-turning habit is less apparent when motivation is stronger. These facts lead the author to present an hypothesis concerning the control manifested by internal and external factors in relation to generalized-turning habits. Extensive bibliography. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)