An assessment of response, direction and place learning by rats in a water t-maze

• Main Author: Whyte, Jacqueline T. (Jacqueline Theresa)
• Other Authors: Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Psychology
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Maze tests; Rats > Behavior; Rats > Orientation; Reaction time; Spatial behavior in animals; Newfoundland studies; University of Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses4/id/60737

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2009. Psychology Includes bibliographical references (leaves 23-26). Behavioural data suggest that distinguishable orientations may be necessary for place learning even when distal cues define different start points in the room and a unique goal location. I examined whether changes in orientation are also important in place learning and navigation in a water T-maze. In Experiment 1, rats were trained to locate a hidden platform and given a no-platform probe trial after 16 and 64 trials with the maze moved to a new position. Direction and response strategies were more prevalent than a place strategy. In Experiment 2, acquisition of place, response, and direction strategies was assessed in a water T-maze that was moved between two locations during training. Rats were impaired on the place task when the maze was translated (moved to the L or R) but were successful when the maze was rotated across trials. These data are consistent with findings from appetitive tasks.