Abstract
To determine whether head-dipping could be validated as a measure of exploration a modified hole-board was developed with four holes in the floor, under which novel objects could be placed. Two criteria for considering head-dipping as a measure of exploration were proposed: firstly, that it should reflect novel aspects of the environment; secondly, that exposure to the hole-board should result in information storage. That head-dipping reflected novelty was indicated by the longer duration of head-dips on initial exposure if objects were present, and also on a second exposure when objects were introduced for the first time. Information storage was indicated by habituation on re-exposure to the hole-board. A significant positive correlation between head-dipping in the “four” and “sixteen” hole-boards was obtained for rats, but not for mice. This provided some indirect evidence that rat head-dipping in the “sixteen hole-board” also reflects exploration. (+)Amphetamine and alcohol were tested in the modified hole-board, and (+)amphetamine decreased and alcohol increased the frequency and duration of head-dips.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Archer, J.: Tests for emotionality in rats and mice: A review. Anim. Behav. 21, 205–235 (1973)
Blanchard, R. J., Shelton, V. F., Blanchard, D. C.: Historical effects of stimulus exposure: Readiness to eat and object exploration. Learning and Motivation 1, 432–444 (1970)
Boissier, J. R.: Situation libre et psychotropes. In: Pharmacology of conditioning, Learning and Retention. M. Y. Mikhelson, V. G. Longo, and Z. Votava, eds., pp. 25–46. New York: Pergamon Press 1965
Boissier, J. R., Simon, P.: La réaction d'exploration chez la souris. Therapie 17, 1225–1232 (1962)
Boissier, J. R., Simon, P.: Dissociation de deux composantes dans te comportement d'investigation de la souris. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn. 147, 372–387 (1964)
Boissier, J. R., Simon, P., Lwoff, J. M.: L'utilisation d'une réaction particulière de la souris (methode de la planche à trons) pour l'étude des médicaments psychotropes. Thérapie 19, 571–589 (1964)
Bradly, D. M. W., Joyce, D., Murphy, E. H., Nash, B. M., Porsolt, R. D., Summerfield, A., Twyman, W. A.: Amphetamine-barbiturate mixture: Effects on the behaviour of mice. Nature (Lond.) 220, 187–188 (1968)
Dorr, M., Steinberg, H., Tomkiewicz, M., Joyce, D., Porsolt, R. D., Summerfield, A.: Persistence of dose related behaviour in mice. Nature (Lond.) 231, 121–123 (1971)
File, S. E., Day, S.: Effects of time of day and food deprivation on exploratory activity in the rat. Anim. Behav. 20, 758–762 (1972)
Gross, C.: General Activity. In: Analysis of Behavioural Change, L. Weiskranz, ed. New York: Harper & Row 1968
Halliday, M. S.: Exploratory behaviour. In: Analysis of Behavioural Change, L. Weiskranz, ed., pp. 107–126. New York: Harper & Row 1968
Hughes, R. N.: Chlordiazepoxide modified exploration in rats. Psychophamacologia (Berl.) 24, 462–469 (1972)
Joyce, D., Steele, J. W., Summerfield, A.: Chronic ingestion of nicotine modifies the behaviour of mice after ethanol. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 45, 164–165 (1972)
Kumar, R.: Exploration and latent learning: Differential effects of dexamphetamine on components of exploratory behaviour in rats. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 16, 54–72 (1969)
Nolan, N. A., Parkes, M. W.: The effects of benzodiazepines on the behaviour of mice on the hole-board. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 29, 277–288 (1973)
Robbins, T., Iversen, S. D.: A dissociation of the effects of d-amphetamine on locomotor activity and exploration in rats. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 28, 155–164 (1973)
Shelden, M. H.: Exploratory behaviour: The inadequacy of activity measures. Psychon. Sci. 11, 38 (1968)
Simon, P., Fraisse, B., Tillemont, J. P., Guernet, M., Boissier, J. R.: Actions de quelques substances psychotropes sur la souris en situation libre soumise à un stimulus extéroceptif. Thérapie 23, 1277–1285 (1968)
Valzelli, L.: The exploratory behaviour in normal and aggressive mice. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 15, 232–235 (1969)
Valzelli, L.: Further aspects of the exploratory behaviour in aggressive mice. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 19, 91–94 (1971)
Wakeley, H. G., O'Sullivan, D.: Drug effects on mouse exploratory behaviour. Psychon. Sci. 16, 27–28 (1969)
Wimer, R. E., Fuller, J. L.: The effects of d-amphetamine sulphate on three exploratory behaviours. Canad. J. Psychol. 19, 94–103 (1965)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was conducted whilst in receipt of a Roche Research Fellowship, and on leave of absence from the City of London Polytechnic.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
File, S.E., Wardill, A.G. Validity of head-dipping as a measure of exploration in a modified hole-board. Psychopharmacologia 44, 53–59 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421184
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421184