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.
Timberlake
William
W
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
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004777:Environment; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats / Q000502:physiology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology