Studies of Exploratory Behavior in the Albino Rat

Abstract

Effects of alcohol, hunger, habituation, and estrus cycle on 6 indices of exploratory behavior (choice-point behavior, latency of leaving the starting box, running time from the starting box to a goal box, ambulation, object manipulation time and rearing) were analyzed observing 70 female rats in a Y maze. In addition, independent tests were made on timidity, shown in Broadhurst's open-field test, and spontaneous activity measured in a stabilometer. Test-retest coefficients and correlations among measures of exploration, open-field test, and stabilometer activity were computed. Initial arousal evoked by a novel situation may counteract the effects of small doses of alcohol. In a familiar maze observations were more consistent with results that small doses of alcohol increase ambulation. Initial arousal might also suppress differences between hungry and satiated rats. These differences in ambulation, rearing, and in time spent manipulating objects were accentuated by repeated testing. The direction and magnitude of the difference differed among measures. Innate timidity, shown in the open-field test, suppressed object-manipulation time and rearing. Measures of exploration did not correlate with stabilometer activity or with ambulation in the open-field test.

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