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PubMed2003

Modification by dopaminergic drugs of choice behavior under concurrent schedules of intravenous saline and food delivery in monkeys.

The allocation of "choice" behavior provides a measure that may be useful in developing experimental models of clinical relapse. In the present experiments, indirect monoaminergic agonists [cocaine, 1-(2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (GBR 12909), desipramine, and citalopram], and dopaminergic D1 family agonists [(+/-)-6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxy-3-allyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine (SKF 82958), R-(+)-6-bromo-7,8-dihydroxy-3-allyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine (R-(+)-6-BrAPB), and 6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-1-(3-methylphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine (SKF 83959)] and D2 family agonists [quinelorane, R-(-)-10,11-dihydroxy-N-n-propylnorapomorphine (R-NPA), (+)-N-propyl-hydroxynaphoxazine [(+)-PHNO], and S-(+)-(4aR,10bR)-3,4,4a,10b-tetrahydro-4-propyl-2H,5H-[1]benzopyrano-[4,3-b]-1,4-oxazin-9-ol (PD 128907)] were evaluated for their capacity to alter the distribution of choice behavior in cocaine-experienced monkeys. Rhesus monkeys responded on two levers (injection-lever and food-lever) under concurrent fixed ratio 30; fixed ratio 30 schedules of i.v. cocaine and food delivery. Under training conditions, the distribution of behavior was related to the unit dose of i.v. cocaine: when saline was available, responding occurred predominantly on the food-lever and when reinforcing doses of cocaine were available, responding occurred predominantly on the injection-lever. Drugs were studied by administering i.m. pretreatment doses before components in sessions of i.v. saline availability. Cocaine produced dose-related increases in injection-lever responding in all monkeys, whereas desipramine failed to alter the distribution of behavior in any monkey. The dopamine transport blocker GBR 12909 and each dopamine D1 family agonist markedly increased injection-lever responding in three of four monkeys; the serotonin transport blocker citalopram and D2 family agonists were comparably effective in only one or two monkeys. These results agree with previous findings of similarity in the behavioral effects of cocaine and indirect or direct dopamine agonists and suggest, furthermore, that i.v. self-administration behavior engendered by priming doses of cocaine may involve actions mediated through both D1 and D2 families of dopamine receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Transitional choice behavior in concurrent-chain schedules.

The choice responses of four pigeons were examined in 20 periods of transition in a concurrent-chain procedure with variable-interval schedules as initial links and fixed delays to reinforcement as terminal links. In some conditions, the delays to reinforcement were different for the two terminal links, and changes in preference were recorded after the delays for the two response keys were switched. In other conditions, the reinforcer delays were equal for the two keys, but which key delivered 80% of the reinforcers was periodically switched. Choice proportions changed more quickly after a switch in reinforcement percentages than after a switch in the delays, thereby contradicting the hypothesis that faster changes would occur when the switch in conditions was easier to discriminate. Analyses of response sequences showed that the effects of individual reinforcers were larger and lasted longer in conditions with changing reinforcement percentages than in conditions with changing terminal-link delays. Rates of change in choice behavior do not appear to be limited by the unpredictability of variable reinforcement schedules, because the changes in behavior were slow and gradual even when there was a large and sudden change in reinforcer delays.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Effects of reinforcement schedules on rats' choice behavior in extinction.

The effects of reinforcement schedules on rats' choice behavior in extinction were studied. In a free-operant chamber equipped with two retractable bars, the experimental animals were trained to press the bars separately for a food reward. One bar delivered the reward on a continuous reinforcement (CRF) schedule, and the other delivered the reward on a partial reinforcement (PRF) schedule. Control animals earned the reward from both bars with the same reinforcement schedule, either a CRF or a PRF. When both bars were simultaneously available during extinction, the experimental animals responded more frequently to the CRF than to the PRF alternative, demonstrating a reversed within-subjects partial reinforcement extinction effect (PREE). A conventional between-subjects PREE was replicated in the control subjects. The results of this study were inconsistent with both Amsel's (1962, 1967) frustration hypothesis and Capaldi's (1966, 1967) sequential hypotheses.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Female guppies agree to differ: phenotypic and genetic variation in mate-choice behavior and the consequences for sexual selection.

Variation among females in mate choice may influence evolution by sexual selection. The genetic basis of this variation is of interest because the elaboration of mating preferences requires additive genetic variation in these traits. Here we measure the repeatability and heritability of two components of female choosiness (responsiveness and discrimination) and of female preference functions for the multiple ornaments borne by male guppies (Poecilia reticulata). We show that there is significant repeatable variation in both components of choosiness and in some preference functions but not in others. There appear to be several male ornaments that females find uniformly attractive and others for which females differ in preference. One consequence is that there is no universally attractive male phenotype. Only responsiveness shows significant additive genetic variation. Variation in responsiveness appears to mask variation in discrimination and some preference functions and may be the most biologically relevant source of phenotypic and genetic variation in mate-choice behavior. To test the potential evolutionary importance of the phenotypic variation in mate choice that we report, we estimated the opportunity for and the intensity of sexual selection under models of mate choice that excluded and that incorporated individual female variation. We then compared these estimates with estimates based on measured mating success. Incorporating individual variation in mate choice generally did not predict the outcome of sexual selection any better than models that ignored such variation.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

On the involvement of progesterone in sexually rewarded choice behavior of the female rat.

The present experiment was designed to investigate the role of Progesterone in the regulation of two aspects of the female's appetitive sexual behavior. Ovariectomized females were tested for partner preference using either a test in which sexual interaction was not possible ("sexual orientation") or a test which included the possibility of sexual interaction ("sexually rewarded choice behavior"). The females were either primed with OIL, Estradiol benzoate (EB) or with Testosterone propionate (TP). Additional groups of females which were primed with EB or TP were treated with Progesterone (P) four hours prior to testing. The results indicate that females which are either treated with EB or with TP, show a male-directed orientation, while OIL-treated females do not. Sexually rewarded choice behavior however, was not affected by hormonal treatment with EB or TP. Additional treatment with P did not further increase the female's male-directed sexual orientation. Sexually rewarded choices for males, in contrast, were drastically increased. EB + P- or TP + P-treated females also showed a significant increase in heterosexual interactions with males in the goal box. The present results support the hypothesis that P plays a role in the female's appetitive sexual behavior, only when the possibility for interaction with a male is present.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Spatial memory and choice behavior in the radial arm maze after fornix transection.

In the radial arm maze task, it is well established that performance of rats with hippocampal damage is severely impaired on the place version, which relies heavily, if not exclusively, on spatial information. However, very little is known about the effects of hippocampal damage on actual choice behavior. To address this issue, sham-operated (SH) and fornix-transected (FX) rats were trained and tested on the place task in the eight-arm radial maze. The following measures were recorded: the frequency of re-entry errors, the number of choices separating repeated visits to the same arm, the latency to arm re-entry, the distribution and targets of microchoices defined as orientations toward an arm or entries in the proximal portion of an arm [Brown, M.F., 1992. Does a cognitive map guide choices in the radial arm maze? J. Exp. Psychol., Anim. Behav. Processes 18, 56-66]. These measures were used as indexes of performance, within-trial retroactive intrusion, memory trace decay and choice behavior, respectively. As generally observed in the literature, the frequency of errors was higher in rats of the FX group than in rats of the SH group; the impairment persisted even after the training criterion was reached. The analysis of latency to arm re-entry and of the number of choices separating re-entries suggested that this impairment was the result of faster memory decay rather than retroactive interference. Both FX and SH groups exhibited a systematic pattern of microchoices, but the frequency of microchoices was higher in FX lesioned rats than in SH controls. Moreover, in lesioned animals, relatively fewer of the initial microchoices were directed toward the baited arms during training-to-criterion. Some of the results provide support to the working memory theory [Olton, D.S., Becker, J.T., Handelmann, G.E., 1979. Hippocampus, space, and memory. Behav. Brain Sci. 2, 313-365], whereas others look more consistent with the cognitive map view [O'Keefe, J., Nadel, L., 1978. The Hippocampus as a Cognitive Map. Clarendon Press, Oxford]. The discussion suggests that both theories and a distinction between prospective and retrospective memory may be required to account for the function of the hippocampal formation in memory.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Intrinsic results of behavior as primary determinants of behavioral choice].

The present experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that the intrinsic results of behavior are powerful determinants of behavioral choice. Cooperative and independent building-blocks were studied with thirty-six kindergarten children arranged in pairs and assigned to one of the following three groups: the cooperation group in which subjects were shown a film indicating that the product (the intrinsic result) of two models working cooperatively is greater than the product of two models working independently in building blocks; the cooperation-estimation group in which subjects were shown films revealing that a cooperative model positively evaluates both cooperation and good work results; and, a control group in which no films were shown to subjects. Children in the two experimental groups observed their respective films four times. The building-blocks of all pairs were observed on ten occasions. Results indicated that children's choice of a cooperative strategy was facilitated by the presence of a large product (work) which they were given to understand was the result of cooperatively-minded models or children working together. This suggested that a good product tended to evoke positive feelings. On the other hand, choice of a cooperative strategy was inhibited by the anticipation of a negative intrinsic result (i.e., unacceptable work) of cooperation and children chose to work independently as a consequence.

Child Behavior↗
PubMed1978

The symmetrical law of effect and the matching relation in choice behavior.

In a concurrent-chains procedure, pigeons chose between outcomes that differed in the rate of response-independent delivery of food and electric shocks. The application of functional measurement techniques confirmed the matching relation-between choice and rate of reinforcement value-for two of three pigeons. Scale values of the outcomes were extracted for the two birds that conformed to matching, and the value of a single occurrence of shock per minute-in terms of negative food units-was estimated. A second experiment with concurrent chains provided a test of these parameter estimates. The close correspondence between predicted and obtained choice behavior found in Experiment II indicated that the estimates of outcome value were indeed reliable. Both experiments together support the contention that the effects on choice behavior of positive and aversive stimuli appear to be equal, though opposite in sign.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Choice behavior of fornix-damaged rats in radial maze error-free situations and subsequent learning.

Fornix-damaged, sham-operated, and control rats were placed in a radial eight-arm maze for fixed series of runs with either a 0% or a 100% reinforcement schedule in order to study their choice behavior independently from any learning problem. Subsequently, the ability to learn the radial maze task was examined as a function of the exploratory patterns developed in each error-free situation. The results showed that the continuous absence or presence of food in the radial maze induced two distinct models of exploration in sham-operated and control rats: choice alternation in the absence of food and perseveration in the presence of food. Conversely, this dichotomy did not occur in fornix-damaged rats that run approximately the same number of paths in both error-free situations, but made fewer different path choices in the 0% reinforcement condition and more different path choices in the 100% reinforcement condition than controls. When submitted to the radial maze task, a positive transfer was observed in all groups from the error-free situation in which the rats run more different paths: from the 0% reinforcement situation for controls and from the 100% reinforcement situation for the lesioned rats. These data indicate that damaging the septo-hippocampal pathway modifies spontaneous choice behavior through a different response to specific reinforcement programs but does not prevent the memorization and the transfer of information from error-free to learning situations.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Interrelations between neurons of the frontal cortex and hippocampus under cholinergic deficit in choice behavior of cats].

Appetitive instrumental conditioned reflexes on light (CS+) were formed in six cats by the method of "active choice" of quality of reinforcement; bread-meat mixture was given after short-delay conditioned bar-press responses, and the delayed responses were rewarded by meat. The animals differed in choice behavior strategy: "self-control", "ambivalent", "impulsive". The multiunit activity in the frontal cortex and hippocampus (CA3) was recorded. Cross-correlation analysis was used for estimation of correlation of activities in neuronal pairs in the frontal cortex and hippocampus (distributed frontal-hippocampal networks) and pairs within the same structure (frontal and hippocampal local neuronal networks). It was shown that the number of cross-correlations between the discharges of neurons both in the local and distributed networks was significantly higher in "self-control" cats. Under conditions of systemic administration of antagonists of muscarinic central cholinoreceptors (trihexyphenidyl and scopolamine), the bar-press conditioning impaired, the number of direct interneuronal connections decreased, and the number of externally synchronized correlations ("common input") significantly increased. The results suggest that the local and distributed neural networks of the frontal cortex and hippocampus are involved in the system of brain structures that determine the behavioral strategy of "self control".

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Significance of visual cues in choice behavior in the female zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata castanotis).

Female zebra finches show a preference for male zebra finches over heterospecific males based solely on the auditory cues of males, such as songs. The present study was designed to investigate whether females show a similar preference for male zebra finches based solely on visual cues. Using a Y-maze apparatus, social preference of female zebra finches was studied between male zebra finches and male Bengalese finches in three experiments. In experiment 1, where female zebra finches could see and hear live male zebra finches and male Bengalese finches, the females preferred to associate with the male zebra finches. In experiment 2, using a sound-attenuated experimental apparatus, subjects could see, but not hear, male zebra finches and male Bengalese finches. The subjects did not show a significant preference for associating with zebra finches. In experiment 3, as in experiment 2, females could see live male zebra finches and male Bengalese finches in the sound-attenuated chambers. However, in experiment 3, the subjects also heard prerecorded auditory cues (i.e., songs and calls) of male zebra finches, which were presented simultaneously in both arms of the maze. Although the females could not use the auditory cues to identify the location of the male zebra finches, they preferred to associate with the male zebra finches rather than the male Bengalese finches. These results suggest that visual cues alone were effective in initiating choice behaviors by females and that auditory cues facilitate such visually based choice behaviors.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Sensory modulation and behavioral choice during feeding in the Australian frog, Cyclorana novaehollandiae.

This study investigates how visual and tactile sensory information, as well as biomechanical effects due to differences in physical characteristics of the prey, influence feeding behavior in the frog Cyclorana novaehollandiae. Video motion analysis was used to quantify movement patterns produced when feeding on five prey types (termites, waxworms, crickets, mice and earthworms). Twelve kinematic variables differed significantly among prey types, and twelve variables were correlated with prey characteristics (including mass, length, height and velocity of movement). Results indicate that C. novaehollandiae uses a different strategy to capture each prey type. Visual assessment of prey characteristics appeared to be more important in modulating feeding behavior that tactile cues or biomechanical effects. We propose a hierarchical hypothesis of behavioral choice, in which decisions are based primarily on visual analysis of prey characteristics. In this model, the frogs first choose between jaw prehension and tongue prehension based on prey size. If they have chosen jaw prehension, they next choose between upward or downward head rotation based on length and height of the prey. If they have chosen tongue prehension, they next choose between behavior for fast and slow prey. Final decisions may be the result of behavioral fine tuning based on tactile feedback.

Aging↗