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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 25, 2026

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

Published on: July 8, 2015

Within-session reversal learning in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Rebecca M Rayburn-Reeves¹, Brielle T James², Michael J Beran²

¹Department of Psychology, Armstrong State University, 11935 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA, 31419, USA. beckyreeves02@gmail.com.

Animal Cognition

|July 30, 2017

Summary

Rhesus macaques in a midsession reversal task did not anticipate changes, showing perseveration similar to rats. This suggests temporal cues do not guide their response flexibility in visual discrimination.

Keywords:

Anticipation Midsession reversal Monkey Perseveration Reinforcement Timing

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Last Updated: Feb 25, 2026

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

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Published on: July 8, 2015

An Operant Intra-/Extra-dimensional Set-shift Task for Mice

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Published on: January 22, 2016

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats

Published on: February 15, 2015

Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Animal Behavior
Neuroscience

Background:

Midsession reversal (MSR) tasks assess behavioral flexibility.
Pigeons use temporal cues, while rats use reinforcement history or temporal cues depending on the task.
Rhesus macaques' MSR performance is unstudied.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate whether rhesus macaques utilize temporal cues or reinforcement history in MSR tasks.
To compare macaque MSR performance to pigeons and rats.

Main Methods:

Rhesus macaques performed a computerized simultaneous visual discrimination MSR task.
Varied reversal points: single fixed, single variable, and multiple variable.

Main Results:

Macaques showed no anticipation of the reversal point.
Perseverative errors were observed, similar to rats in operant settings.
Results were consistent across different reversal point conditions.

Conclusions:

Temporal cues do not guide response flexibility in rhesus macaques during visual discrimination.
Macaques' behavior in MSR tasks appears to be driven by factors other than temporal timing.