Publication Date

12-1977

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Leroy Metze, James Craig, David Shiek

Degree Program

Department of Psychology

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

Twelve food-deprived male rats were trained to barpress for food pellets in one of three operant chambers. The chambers were of standard size, double in length, or triple in length. After training, cod cup full of pellets was placed in the corner opposite the operant bar, and the eating behavior of the rats in this choice situation was observed. The dependent measure was the percentage of the total amount of food consumed that had been obtained by barpressing. Individual comparisons between the mean percentage of food earned over the four test sessions revealed that those rats in the longest chamber barpressed for a significantly greater amount of the food consumed than did those in the shorter boxes. Results are discussed in terms of the discriminability of the two food cups and the large individual differences. An approach for future research to follow is suggested.

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

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