Abstract
Normal rats and rats with septal lesions were given extended training on a DRL 20-sec schedule in either a conventional operant chamber or one containing wooden blocks that the rats chewed. At the end of training, the two normal groups and the septal rats trained with the wooden blocks did not differ in DRL efficiency. This result shows that the DRL deficit found in septal rats can be overcome by training them in environments that facilitate the development of collateral mediating behaviors. The septal rats trained in conventional chambers showed no improvement throughout training.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
BRADY, J. -V., & CONRAD, D. G. Some effects of brain stimulation on timing behavior. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 1960, 3, 93–106.
BURKETT, E. E., & BUNNELL, B. N. Septal lesions and the retention of DRL: performance in the rat. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1969, 67, 344–351.
CAREY, R. J. Contrasting effects of increased thirst and septal ablations on DRL responding in rats. Physiology & Behavior, 1967, 2, 287–290.
ELLEN, P., WILSON, A. S., & POWELL, E. W. Septal inhibition and timing behavior in the rat. Experimental Neurology, 1964, 10, 120–132.
ELLEN, P., & AITKEN, W. C. Absence of temporal discrimination following septal lesions. Psychonomic Science, 1971, 22, 129–131.
HOTHERSALL, D., JOHNSON, D. A., & COLLEN, A. Fixed-ratio responding following septal lesions in the rat. Journal of Comparative & Phvsiological Psychology, 1970, 73, 470–476.
LATIES, V. G., WEISS, B., & WEISS, A. B. Further observations of overt ‘mediating’ behavior and the discrimination of time. Journal of the Experimental Analvsis of Behavior, 1969, 12, 43–57.
MacDOUGALL, J. M., Van HOESEN, G W., & MITCHELL, J. C. Anatomical organization of septal projections and maintenance of DRL behavior in rats. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1969, 68, 568–575.
McNEMAR, Q. Psychological statistics. New York: Wiley, 1955.
SLONAKER, R. L., & HOTHERSALL, D. Collateral behaviors and the DRL deficit of rats with septal lesions. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1972, 80, 91–96.
STADDON, J. E. R., & SIMMELHAG, V. L. The “superstition” experiment: A reexamination of its implications and principles of adaptive behavior. Psychological Review, 1971, 78, 3–43.
WINER, B. J. Statistical principles in experimental design. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1962.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hothersall, D., Alexander, D. & Slonaker, R. The DRL deficit of rats with septal lesions: Effects of extended training in a mediated environment. Psychon Sci 29, 34–36 (1972). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336559
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336559