Homogeneity of Single Trial Response Tendencies and Spontaneous Alternation in the T-Maze

Abstract

The variability of individual response tendencies within groups of rats with similar genetic background was investigated. Two groups were used: one group without a turning bias and another group with an empirically determined 2:1 right-turn tendency. These rats were tested in uniformly colored T-mazes and in T-mazes which contained differential stimuli in the two cross arms. In all cases the group response tendency was found to be an accurate indicator of the behavior of each of the individuals in that group. Short-term individual response sequences were not as useful in predicting future behavior as was the total group performance. Methods of using this information in calculating expected “chance behavior” in the T-maze were discussed.