Rats use an ordinal timer in a daily time-place learning task.
Rats received 2 daily sessions in a large clear chamber. A lever was mounted on each of the 4 chamber walls. For each rat, a different lever provided food during 0930 and 1530 sessions. The rats learned which lever would provide food at 0930 and 1530. Probe tests suggested that the rats learned to press 1 lever during their 1st session of each day and to then press a 2nd lever during their 2nd session of each day. We propose that this knowledge of the order of a set of events within a period of time constitutes ordinal timing. We contrast the temporal information provided by ordinal, phase, and interval timing and consider why multiple timing systems have evolved in animals.
Carr
J A
JA
Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. carrjaso@unixg.ubc.ca
Wilkie
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior; D001288:Attention; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009949:Orientation; D011340:Problem Solving; D051381:Rats; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D013998:Time Perception