Abstract
Wistar rats were given 16 open-field tests under (a) free exploration (Ss could withdraw from the field into a small dark box), (b) forced exploration, or (c) alternating free and forced exploration. Amount of locomotion and the tendency to leave the peripheral wall were initially suppressed under free exploration but recovered over tests. The tendency to rear in the field remained suppressed under free exploration over all tests. It was suggested that fear functions to inhibit locomotion under forced exploration and functions to motivate and reward escape into the small box under free exploration. As fear habituates, open-field locomotion increases.
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References
VALLE, F. P. Rats’ performance on repeated tests in the open field as a function of age. Psychonomie Science, 1971, 23, 333–335.
WELKER, W. I. “Free” versus “forced” exploration of a novel situation by rats. Psychological Reports, 1957, 3, 95–108.
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This research was supported by the National Research Council of Canada (APA 266) and the President’s Committee on Research, University of British Columbia. I would like to thank Rosemary W. Bols for her assistance and Dr. G. J. Johnson for his advice concerning data analysis.
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Valle, F.P. Free and forced exploration in rats as a function of between- vs within-Ss design. Psychon Sci 29, 11–13 (1972). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336550
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336550