Representation of time in time-place learning.
Ordinal, interval, and circadian mechanisms of solving a time-place task were tested. Rats searched for food twice in the morning and once in the afternoon (Group AB-C, n = 5) or once in the morning and twice in the afternoon (Group A-BC, n = 5) in a box with four food troughs. The location of the food depended on the time of day in a 12:12-h light:dark cycle. Acquisition was documented by food-site inspections at the correct locations prior to food availability. On nonrewarded probes, the time of the middle search (B) was shifted late (for Group AB-C) or early (for Group A-BC). The rats visited Location B at chance, contrary to an ordinal mechanism. When the posttesting meal and light-dark transitions were omitted, the rats visited correct locations with impaired performance but at above-chance levels on nonrewarded probes. The results are consistent with interval and circadian representations of time.
Pizzo
Matthew J
MJ
Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-3013, USA. mpizzo@arches.uga.edu
Crystal
Jonathon D
JD
D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior; D001245:Association Learning; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003210:Concept Formation; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation; D011340:Problem Solving; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D013998:Time Perception