Abstract
Mongolian gerbils and albino rats were observed individually in an open field. The rats exhibited their normal tendency to remain in the peripheral areas of the field. However, the gerbils did not show such thigmotactic tendencies. Gerbils demonstrated more frequent central area occupancy, greater duration of central area occupancy, and greater locomotion in the field. The greater alertness and activity of the gerbil, in combination with its apparent relative preference for an open field, may have important implications in maze running situations.
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1. Investigation conducted in 1962 at University of South Dakota under the support of N. S. F. Undergraduate Scientific Education NSF G-21682.
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Nauman, D.J. Open field behavior of the Mongolian gerbil. Psychon Sci 10, 163–164 (1968). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331461
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331461