Social isolation in young rats: Effects of cage size on open-field behavior

Syme, Lesley A.; Hughes, Robert N.

doi:10.3758/bf03336555

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The results do not clarify the antecedents of the positive relationship reported earlier between cage size and the open field activity of isolated rats (Syme & Hughes, 1972). It appears that this relationship is not caused by the spatial dimensions of the cage producing an environmental size preference.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 94%

“…The subjects were 60 male hooded rats (N.Z.B.W.S.) weaned and housed differentially at 25 days of age in small 8, medium (M), and large (L) cages (Syme & Hughes, 1972). Fourteen subjects were placed alone in small cages, and three pairs were similarly housed.…”

Section: Subjects and Apparatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Early research on thigmotaxis (e.g., Fredericson, 1953) would interpret these results in terms of the enhancement of a thigmotaxic or cornersitting response following exposure to the greater proportion of corner area in the smaller cages. Syme and Hughes (1972) reported more corner-sitting behavior with decreased home cage size.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The difference, however, was not significant. Syme and Hughes (1972), in a further investigation of this effect, tested rats housed alone in small (15 x 15 x 10 ern), medium (30 x 30 x 20 em), and large (60 x 60 x 40 em) cages in an open field of identical dimensions and construction to the large cages. A highly significant positive relationship was found between cage size and movement.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The experiment described here was designed to investigate each of these three alternatives, and also to provide some much needed information about the effects of spatial manipulation on the development of behavior in the rat. Subjects were allowed a simultaneous choice of small, medium, and large environments after being housed in either small, medium, or large cages (see Syme & Hughes, 1972). There were three experimental groups: (1) Individually housed rats tested in a novel choice environment.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatial interaction between cage and test environments: Position preferences of young isolated and pair-housed rats

Syme

1976

Animal Learning & Behavior

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This study further investigates the relationship between cage size and activity in the open field. Male hooded rats were housed at weaning either individually or in pairs in small, medium, or large cages and observed after 15 days in an apparatus providing a choice between three environments of identical construction and dimensions to the different home cages. Three experimental conditions were employed. Both isolated and pair-housed rats were tested alone in the unfamiliar apparatus and some isolated rats were first habituated to the apparatus. Time spent in each size apparatus component was recorded. The results failed to explain earlier findings of a positive relationship between open-field behavior and cage size in isolated rats, in terms of spatial preference. Isolated component preferences were inversely related to cage size, while pair-housed preferences were positively related to cage size. Component preference was not related to component area or perimeter distance. The implications of this spatial behavior for exploration and emotionality theories are discussed.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 94%

Section: Subjects and Apparatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 98%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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