Tolman and Tryon: Early Research on the Inheritance of the Ability to Learn

Few psychologists today are aware of the seminal role played by learning theorist Edward C. Tolman in the early development of the field of behavior genetics. Tolman was the first to publish a study of selective breeding for mazelearning ability in rats. He continued to foster research in this field...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American psychologist 1992-02, Vol.47 (2), p.190-197
Main Author: Innis, Nancy K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Behavior
Genetics
Genetics, Behavioral - history
History of medicine
History of Psychology
History, 20th Century
Human
Individuality
Learning
Learning Ability
Personal profiles
Psychologists
Psychology
Rats
Social research
Tolman, Edward Chace (1886-1959)
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Summary:Few psychologists today are aware of the seminal role played by learning theorist Edward C. Tolman in the early development of the field of behavior genetics. Tolman was the first to publish a study of selective breeding for mazelearning ability in rats. He continued to foster research in this field by supporting the work of his students, particularly Robert C. Tryon. Tryon carried out the first major long-term study of maze-bright and maze-dull rats. This article focuses on Tolman's early years at Berkeley and the events culminating in the inheritance project, as well as on the evolution of this research under Tryon's direction.
ISSN:0003-066X
1935-990X
DOI:10.1037/0003-066X.47.2.190