Abstract
In three experiments, the exploratory behavior of thirsty rats systematically progressed to areas distant from the starting location in an unfamiliar environment (table with seven objects on it). In a fourth experiment, this systematic pattern was disrupted when one of the objects in the new environment was familiar. Learning of spatial relations occurred during exploration, as evidenced by exploratory behavior on a test in which a previously neutral object in the environment became a source of water. Exploratory activity differed when the starting location was fixed in one corner of the table from when it was varied daily from corner to corner on a large table in one experiment; it did not differ with a table half that size in another experiment. The findings are taken to indicate that the development of the spatial structure consists of utilizing a known part of a given locale as anchor point or “base of operations” upon which is built a network of topographic relations among objects in particular locales.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Ainsworth, M. D. The development of infant-mother interaction among the Ganda. In B. M. Foss (Ed.), Determinants of infant behavior (Vol. 2). London: Methuen, 1963.
Ainsworth, M. D., & Witting, B. A. Attachment and exploratory behavior of one-year-old children in a strange situation. In B. M. Foss (Ed.), Determinants of infant behavior (Vol. 4). London, Methuen, 1969.
Barnett, S. A. Exploratory behavior. British Journal of Psychology, 1958, 49, 289–310.
Berlyne, D. E. Conflict, arousal, and curiosity. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1960.
Buytendijk, F. J. J. Eine Methode zur Beobachtung von Ratten in Aufgabefreien situationen. Archives Neerlandaises de Physiologiede I’Hommeet des Animaux, 1931, 16, 574–596.
Eible-Eibesfeldt, I. Ethology—The biology of behavior. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, 1970.
Harlow, H. F., & Zimmermann, R. R. Affectional responses in the infant monkey. Science, 1959, 130, 421–432.
Hinde, R. A. Animal behavior—A synthesis of ethology and comparative psychology (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill, 1970.
Hosoda, K. Some aspects of open-field behavior in the rat. Bulletin of School of Education, Okayama University, 1971, 31, 45–71.
Maier, N. R. F. Reasoning in white rats. Comparative Psychology Monograph, 1929, 6 (No. 29).
Rheingold, H. L., & Eckerman, C. O. The infant’s free entry into a new environment. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1969, 8, 271–283.
Rheingold, H. L., & Eckerman, C. O. The infant separates himself from the mother. Science, 1970, 168, 78–83.
Schouela, D. A., Steinberg, L. M., Leveton, L. B., & Wapner, S. Development of the cognitive organization of an environment. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, in press.
Wapner, S., Kaplan, B., & Cohen, S. B. An organismic-developmental perspective for understanding transactions of men in environments. Environment and Behavior, 1973, 5, 255–289.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Experiments 1, 2, and 4 were supported in part by grants from USPHS (MH-00348) and the Japanese Educational Ministry.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yamamoto, T., Wapner, S. & Stevens, D.A. Exploration and learning of topographical relationships by the rat. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 15, 99–102 (1980). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334478
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334478