latent learning

latent learning The formation of associations that appear to bring the animal neither reward nor punishment (although novel experiences may themselves constitute a reward). There is a delay between exposure to the learning situation and the performance of a behaviour pattern that demonstrates the effect of learning. For example, rats will explore a maze without apparent reward or punishment and will remember the information they obtain; later, when rewards are presented, those rats will perform better at finding their way through the maze than rats with no exploratory experience.