Abstract
The effects of pre- and post-weaning social isolation from litter mates on social exploration were investigated in the albino rat. The most important variable affecting S’s stimulus preferences appeared to be its social experience immediately prior to testing. Isolated animals showed no preferences for any of the animal stimuli used, while socially experienced Ss preferred a novel hooded rat. These results were interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that social exploration in the rat, as compared with mice or chickens, is more a function of novelty than gregarious behavior.
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1. This study is based on data collected as part of the M. A. Thesis of the first author, under the supervision of the second author at California State College at Los Angeles. It was read in part at the Midwestern Psychological Association meeting, Chicago, 1966.
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Stevenson, M., Simmel, E.C. Adult social exploration in the rat as a function of pre- and post-weaning social experience. Psychon Sci 7, 253–254 (1967). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331102
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331102