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Classic study: Olds and Milner (1954)
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The accidental discovery

The accidental discovery

Rat in an operant chamber pressing a lever, connected by electrode to an electrical stimulator, with an inset showing the septal area target in the brain

Olds and Milner were investigating whether electrical stimulation would affect learning in rats. In one rat, the electrode accidentally slipped into the septal area, and that mistake changed the whole study.

Classic study: Olds and Milner (1954) Lesson

  1. A Level
  2. /Psychology
  3. /Classic study: Olds and Milner (1954)

Step-by-step lessons on Edexcel A Level Psychology Classic study: Olds and Milner (1954). Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Start with the compulsory core topics before tackling the more evaluation-heavy optional and issues-and-debates content.

Lessons