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Question 130

Ferret Navigation Study

Researchers wanted to investigate how different reinforcement schedules and consequences influence learning in ferrets.

Ferrets were trained to navigate a sequence of three tube entrances (Left, Right, Middle) in a specific order.

Each ferret was randomly assigned to one of four conditions:

  • Condition 1: A drop of sweet water was delivered every time the ferret performed the correct sequence of choices exactly 5 times in a row.
  • Condition 2: A drop of sweet water was delivered after the ferret performed the correct sequence a variable number of times, averaging 3 sequences (the exact target changed unpredictably after each reward).
  • Condition 3: A drop of sweet water was delivered every 45 seconds, provided the ferret had performed the correct sequence at least once during that time increment.
  • Condition 4: A brief, harmless puff of air was directed at the ferret's snout immediately if they made an incorrect choice in the sequence.

The table below shows the results of the 15-minute experimental trials.

Table 1: Ferret response rates and sequence accuracy across four conditions

ConditionMean number of attempted sequence choices (in 15 minutes)Mean number of correct sequences completed (in 15 minutes)
Condition 16248
Condition 210482
Condition 33222
Condition 482

Using research evidence or psychological concepts, explain how operant conditioning theory could support the findings of the ferret navigation study.

[6]

Content Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Psychology
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Practise Edexcel A Level Psychology Content with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 1,059 questions covering Diagnosis of mental disorders (4 Ds), Classification systems (DSM and ICD), Schizophrenia and one other disorder, Treatments for the two disorders, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology, matched to the Edexcel A Level Psychology (9PS0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.

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