[Features of rat behavior associated with alternative choice in Y-maze and their interpretation in terms of complex probability amplitudes].
The two-way alternative avoidance of a weak electric shock by male Wistar rats in Y-maze was studied. The following behavioral characteristics of a rat were determined in each test series: total time of an arm choice (going away into one of two safe maze arms), number and sequence of alternate turnings to the outlets in the process of choice, time of immobility in the Y-maze center, and "freezing" reaction. Rat behavior of choice of safe arms in Y-maze be interpreted on the basis of the rules of summation of complex probability amplitudes, which characterize a predictive estimation of achievement by a rat of its relative safety. With the need to avoid an electric shock, rat's estimations of suitabilities of two different avoidance ways can interfere. This makes it difficult for an animal to take a choice decision (if both pathways are equally acceptable for a rat). After entering a safe arm, sometimes a rat can leave it for another arm, such passages occur quasiperiodically.
Levshina
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Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow. levshina@ihna.ru
Shuĭkin
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D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar