Niche-related learning in laboratory paradigms: the case of maze behavior in Norway rats.
The general hypothesis underlying this paper is that behavior in traditional paradigms of laboratory learning is based on niche-related mechanisms. The specific hypothesis is that the behavior of Norway rats in laboratory mazes is based on niche-related mechanisms related to trail following and navigating. I evaluate seven types of evidence for this hypothesis: (a) resemblance of maze behavior to behavior in unconstrained settings; (b) importance of experimenter tuning of apparatus and procedures; (c) overdetermination of laboratory behavior; (d) reverse-engineering of niche-related mechanisms from laboratory data; (e) prediction of laboratory results from ecological data; (f) contribution of specific relative to general mechanisms; and (g) phylogenetic conservation and ecologically-based convergence and divergence of maze mechanisms. I conclude there is strong evidence for the hypothesis that behavior of rats in laboratory mazes is based on niche-related mechanisms. I suggest that a niche-related approach to laboratory learning paradigms has conceptual generality and the potential to facilitate connections with the study of neurophysiology, genetics, and evolution.
Department of Psychology, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Program in Neural Science, Indiana University, Psychology Building, 1101 E. Tenth Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7007, USA. timberla@indiana.edu
William
W
Timberlake
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004777:Environment; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats / Q000502:physiology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology