title: Parameters of rewards on choice behavior in Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens).
abstract: Five experiments were conducted with Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) to investigate how choices in a T-maze were affected by parameters of a social reward (aggression display to another male): presence or absence, amount, delay and distance traveled. Bettas showed a preference for the side associated with the presence of another male rather than the side associated with nothing (Exp 1), a greater length of time of the reward (Exp 2) and shorter delay (Exp 3). The animals were indifferent when one side offered a longer delay to a longer reward time compared with a shorter delay to a shorter reward time (Exp 4). What was most surprising, however, was that fish preferred to choose the side that was associated with swimming a greater distance to reach an opponent male (Exp 5). These experiments demonstrate that, while some parameters of a visual reward affect behavior in predictable ways (greater amount, shorter delay), the complex motivations underlying inter-male aggression can produce what appear to be paradoxical results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, California State University Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740-8039, USA. mashapiro@csufresno.edu
authors.forename: Martin S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Ashley L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002755:Choice Behavior; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D010473:Perciformes; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012201:Reward; D012919:Social Behavior; D013550:Swimming; D013997:Time Factors