Abstract
One group of rats (Group A-B) was reared on an almond-flavored diet, a second group (Group B-A) on a banana-flavored diet, and a third group (Group C-C), on an unflavored diet. The groups were then given both the banana and almond diets for 2 days. Results showed all three groups preferred almond to banana (almond preference), with Group B-A showing the strongest preference (novelty preference). Results of a second set of tests, following upon an interval during which Groups A-B and B-A had their maintenance flavors switched, were generally consistent with the above but also indicated that a diet’s preferability may depend upon an interaction between its primacy, its familiarity, and its attractiveness.
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This research was supported by the National Research Council of Canada. Sara Mitchell assisted in collecting the data.
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Valle, F.P. Flavor preferences in laboratory rats. Psychon Sci 21, 31–32 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332420
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332420