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Using rules extracted from experience to solve problems in novel situations involves cognitions such as analogical reasoning and language learning and is considered a keystone of humans' unique abilities. Nonprimates, it has been argued, lack such rule transfer. We report that Rattus norvegicus can learn simple rules and apply them to new situations. Rats learned that sequences of stimuli consistent with a rule (such as XYX) were different from other sequences (such as XXY or YXX). When novel stimuli were used to construct sequences that did or did not obey the previously learned rule, rats transferred their learning. Therefore, rats, like humans, can transfer structural knowledge from sequential experiences.

Original publication

DOI

10.1126/science.1151564

Type

Journal article

Journal

Science

Publication Date

28/03/2008

Volume

319

Pages

1849 - 1851

Keywords

Animals, Cognition, Cues, Learning, Male, Rats, Reinforcement (Psychology), Transfer (Psychology)