Title

An animal restraint for the study of high-resistance operants in the rat

Abstract

An animal restraint system and response operandum suitable for the study of operant behavior in the rat is described. This system combined with an inexpensive Commodore microcomputer and Psychronix interface is well-suited for the study of response parameters. Rats voluntarily entered the restraint, showed no observable signs of excess stress, and were easily extricated at the end of the experimental session. A lever-pressing operant with an adjustable force requirement was readily shaped using automated procedures. Although this system was designed for the study of high-resistance operants, it has potential advantages for other operant applications, including studies of visual discrimination and experiments requiring restraint due to physiological recording. © 1990 Psychonomic Society, Inc.

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03203178

Publication Date

7-1-1990

Journal Title

Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS