Event Title
The effects of an alarm cue on rats in an open field maze.
Faculty-Student Collaboration
1
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Baine Craft, Ph.D. & Ryan Ferrer, Ph.D.
Project Type
Completed qualitative research study
Primary Department
Psychology
Description
The present study observed the behaviors of rats in an open field maze in response to an alarm cue or water set in one of four quadrants. The alarm mimicked a predatory scent easily recognized by rats. The behaviors measured were freezing (subject is immobile) rearing (subject is on hind legs), locomotion (movement in all four limbs), and grooming. We hypothesize that rats would display more rearing, locomotion, and grooming when water was present, and rats would display more freezing when the alarm cue was present. These results would be consistent with animals' reactions to alarm cues in natural settings.
Copyright Status
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Additional Rights Information
Copyright held by author(s).
The effects of an alarm cue on rats in an open field maze.
The present study observed the behaviors of rats in an open field maze in response to an alarm cue or water set in one of four quadrants. The alarm mimicked a predatory scent easily recognized by rats. The behaviors measured were freezing (subject is immobile) rearing (subject is on hind legs), locomotion (movement in all four limbs), and grooming. We hypothesize that rats would display more rearing, locomotion, and grooming when water was present, and rats would display more freezing when the alarm cue was present. These results would be consistent with animals' reactions to alarm cues in natural settings.
Rights Statement
