Abstract
A two-group randomized design was used to evaluate the exploration of a five-path elevated maze by 40 male rats in the presence of Ss’ caretaker and in the presence of a stranger. Ss explored the maze more in the presence of the caretaker than in the presence of the stranger (p <.01). Further analysis indicated that Ss avoided the paths of the maze adjacent to the stranger (p <.01), but did not approach the paths adjacent to the caretaker (p >.01). The data suggest that the caretaker effect in rats is a function of the presence of a stranger, rather than the presence of S’s caretaker, during exploration.
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This research was supported in part by a grant to Merle E. Meyer from the Bureau for Faculty Research, Western Washington State College.
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Morlock, G.W., McCormick, C.E. & Meyer, M.E. The effect of a stranger’s presence on the exploratory behavior of rats. Psychon Sci 22, 3–4 (1971). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335910
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335910