Effects of experience and motivation on symmetrical-maze performance in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster).
Sex differences in spatial skills are sometimes attributed to sex differences in spatial experience. This hypothesis rests on two assumptions: Spatial experience typically differs with sex and spatial experience has lasting effects on spatial cognition. We tested the latter assumption in a controlled experiment with wild-caught prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and their spatially deprived, laboratory-reared, first-generation offspring; we found the assumption to be unjustified. Although major differences in spatial experience had no effect on maze performance, relatively small differences in motivation produced a significant difference in error rates.
S J
SJ
Gaulin
M S
MS
Wartell
D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D009042:Motivation; D009949:Orientation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment