A computer-aided procedure for measuring Lashley III maze performance.
As an animal swims through the Lashley III maze, an observer types into a Macintosh computer the path taken. The computer program, Observe Software, then breaks the string of choices into two-step sequences and counts the number of such sequences. These data are then sent to a spreadsheet, where the sequences are sorted into forward and backward responses. Forward choices are Correct Path, T Choice Errors and Cul Entry Errors. All backward choices are errors, by definition. They are classified as T Choices, Cul Entries, Cul Exits, and Return to Start. The animal's behavior is then described by the various error classes plus a measure called Learning Index. Examples of learning by rats and mice are presented.
Denenberg
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VH
Biobehavioral Sciences Graduate Degree Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-4154.
Talgo
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N
Carroll
D A
DA
Freter
S
S
Deni
R
R
D000818:Animals; D004924:Escape Reaction; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011939:Mental Recall; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008838:Microcomputers; D009949:Orientation; D011340:Problem Solving; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012984:Software