The effect of temperature on the retention of a maze habit in fish.

Abstract

Goldfish were taught a maze at 22[degree]C Groups were then maintained for a day at each of 3 temps. 28[degree], 16[degree], and 4CC. Retention was then measured by relearning tests at 22[degree]C. The group which had spent the retention period at 28[degree] made almost twice as many errors "during relearning as the group which had spent the retention period at 4[degree]. One control expt. showed that the results were due to the action of temp. upon retention and not to its action upon the rate of learning. Another showed that the differences were not due to retroactive inhibition produced by general activity during the period of controlled temp. Evidently there exists a forgetting process which is independent of inhibition and whose rate is a function of temp.