Repeated acquisition of response sequences: the analysis of behavior in transition

Repeated acquisition (RA) procedures are behavioral preparations in which subjects are required to learn new response sequences within each experimental session. Such procedures avoid problems inherent in nonRA learning procedures. For example, as the subject masters nonRA tasks, one begins to measure performance of a learned response rather than learning itself. Advantages to using RA procedures include (a) the strength of the within-subjects design, including the ability to establish dose effect curves within individual subjects; (b) the ability to assess learning phenomena over extended periods of time; (c) the ability to use chronic dosing regimens; and (d) the ability to assess treatments with permanent or long-lasting effects. In addition, analysis of the response patterns committed during acquisition allows for a description of how behavioral strategies may change in response to experimental manipulation. Difficulties include the relatively long training period often preceding attainment of a stable baseline of acquisition. This review examines the history of RA paradigms, with an emphasis on procedural comparisons.