A convective thermal controller for behavioral experiments

The Convective Thermal Controller (CTC) is designed to provide rapid and precise control of a thermal stimulus for application to behavioral experiments with small animals. Subjects are bathed in one of two continuously recirculating air systems; two valves determine which of the systems play on S. When the systems are stabilized at different temperatures, actuation of the valves can produce an abrupt and stable temperature change in .3 sec. Behavioral observations indicate that escape learning occurs readily; latency decreases monotonically with drive intensity and increases monotonically with reinforcement duration.     

An automated system for primate instruction for behavioral neurophysiology

This paper describes a flexible hardware/software system developed for use with a PDP-8I computer for conducting research in behavioral neurophysiology. A real time monitor was designed to facilitate development, debugging, and modification of programs to run experiments. It relieves the programmer of the burden of dealing with hardware dependent functions such as interrupt handling and input/output. In addition, it provides the user with a large library of callable routines to perform functions commonly needed for conducting experiments. The monitor is modular in design and could be expanded or modified for use with many configurations of the PDP-8 family of computers.     

Conflicting approaches: operant psychology arrives at a primate laboratory

During a brief period, from 1955 to 1957, behavior analysts, primarily Charles Ferster, Roger Kelleher, and John Falk, conducted research on chimpanzees at the Yerkes Laboratories of Primate Biology in Orange Park, Florida. This was a time of conflict between operant conditioners and more traditional experimental psychologists at the national level, and there was a similar conflict at the local level in Orange Park. The principal overt issues concerned the use of deprivation procedures, the apparatus utilized, and the naming of animals, although more fundamental differences probably set the occasion for the disputes. The conflicts in Orange Park can be seen as a microcosm of the broader conflicts that occurred during a period when the operant approach was being extended and applied more broadly than before.     

Using a laboratory computer for identification of nonlinear behavioral and electrophysiological systems

A system for mathematically identifying unknown nonlinear systems based upon Wiener kernels and G-functionals is presented as an example of the sophisticated analyses of electrophysiological and behavioral data made possible by the introduction of powerful digital computers to the laboratory environment. The applicability of these methods to a wide variety of systems is emphasized. By measuring the response of the unknown system to appropriate white noise stimulation, data may be obtained which are sufficient for the characterization of the system under test. The only restrictions upon the unknown system is that it be approximately stationary during the period of measurement and that its output depend upon its input in the finite past. Various pretests to evaluate the applicability of the method are presented. Simple FORTRAN programs that clarify the methods of computation are given for the preprocessing of data, the analysis of lower-order kernels, the synthesis of system response from the computed kernels, and the computation of the proportion of the variance in the systems output which is accounted for by the kernels zero, one, and two. These programs may be implemented on a digital laboratory computer of moderate size. Analysis may be performed either on-line or after data collection, depending upon the temporal characteristics of the system under test. This method represents one of the few analytical techniques presently available for the characterization of both linear and nonlinear systems. For this reason, it constitutes a uniquely powerful tool for many branches of psychology. Successful applications of this method to electrophysiological and behavioral data are mentioned. Limiting factors in the use of Wiener kernel analysis are also discussed.     

Using an Apple II microcomputer for real-time control in a behavioral laboratory

This report describes the hardware and software developed to implement an Apple II (48 KB) as a real-time control device for operant experiments. The hardware has a straightforward design, so that it is readily understandable and can be built by individuals with only minimal experience in the use of integrated circuits and other electronic components. The software routines listed below represent an approach to controlling and handling the data generated by an operant experiment. Using these routines, we are able to record each response and experimental event, the time of the occurrence, and the conditions at that time.     

Pattern recognition of behavioral events in the nonhuman primate

A computerized pattern recognition system has been developed that is capable of identifying 40 separate spontaneously occurring behavioral acts of the primateMacaca fascicularis. The system, called PROBE (pattern recognition of behavioral events), is described in detail. In its present stage of development, PROBE classifies behavioral activity with a reliability comparable to trained human observers. The potential applications for and improvements to the PROBE system are discussed.     

Links between self-reported and laboratory behavioral impulsivity

Havik, M., Jakobson, A., Tamm, M., Paaver, M., Konstabel, K., Uusberg, A., Allik, J., Ööpik, V. & Kreegipuu, K. (2012). Links between self‐reported and laboratory behavioral impulsivity. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 216–223. A major problem in the research considering impulsivity is the lack of mutual understanding on how to measure and define impulsivity. Our study examined the relationship between self‐reported impulsivity, behavioral excitatory and inhibitory processes and time perception. Impulsivity – fast, premature, thoughtless or disinhibited behavior – was assessed in 58 normal, healthy participants (30 men, mean age 21.9 years). Self‐reported impulsivity as measured by Adaptive and Maladaptive Impulsivity Scale (AMIS) and behavioral excitatory and inhibitory processes as measured by Stop Signal Task were not directly related. Time perception, measured by the retrospective Time Estimation Task, was related to both. The length of the perceived time interval was positively correlated to AMIS Disinhibition subscale and negatively to several Stop Signal Task parameters. The longer subjects perceived the duration to last, the higher was their score on Disinhibition scale and the faster were their reactive responses in the Stop Signal Task. In summary our findings support the idea of cognitive tempo as a possible mechanism underlying impulsive behavior.     

A strategy for microcomputer-controlled measurement of responses in the behavioral laboratory

Problems associated with microcomputer measurement of responses in operant conditioning experiments are discussed. A general strategy that addresses these problems is presented. Although implementation of the strategy requires assembly language programming, the procedures can be used in conjunction with most high-level programming languages. The method ensures that all responses are detected, prevents detection of multiple responses during switch contact bounce, and indicates when responses are being processed at excessive intervals following their occurrences.     

Parallel processing strategies in the application of microcomputers to the behavioral laboratory

The Operant Package for the Neurosciences (OPN) is a software system that runs on the TRS-80 Model I and Model III and the Apple II+ and Apple lie microcomputers. It is designed to allow a single microcomputer to control behavioral experiments in up to eight different stations, record experimental data, and provide detailed data analysis. Although segments of the program are written in BASIC, allowing users to interact with OPN in a simple English question-and-answer format, the part that provides real-time experimental control is written in Z-80 assembly language. The present report describes in detail assembly language algorithms that we found to facilitate speed of processing and flexibility of control. Particular problems dealt with how to update and change flag variables controlling the reinforcement contingencies and output conditions in each station, as well as how to decide when each station should shift contingencies. The solutions to these problems utilize byte-oriented parallel processing strategies, converting serially organized reference information for each station into a group of working flag bytes that control contingency and output variables for all stations in parallel.     

African four-striped grass mice (Rhabdomys pumilio), a diurnal-crepuscular muroid rodent,in the behavioral laboratory

African four-striped grass mice,Rhabdomys pumilio, are potentially valuable animals for laboratory studies of behavior. In nature, they live in the grasslands of much of Africa. In the laboratory, striped mice adapt well to a number of behavioral testing situations. Ten male grass mice tested in running wheels displayed a mean of approximately 10,000 revolutions per day, with a diurnal-crepuscular pattern characterized by sharp peaks near the time of light onset and offset and a generally greater level of wheel running in light than in darkness. The retinal anatomy of this species is characterized by a cone-like organization of the outer segment layer and unusual thickness of the inner plexiform layer, suggesting an unusual high amount of retinal data processing for a muroid rodent. The copulatory pattern ofR. pumilio is characterized by no lock, no intravaginal thrusting, multiple intromissions preceding ejaculation, and multiple ejaculations. The number of intromissions preceding the first ejaculation is unusually high, and postejaculatory intervals are unusually long. Grass mice display intermediate levels of open-field activity, but little climbing or digging.     

An IC up-down counter controller for a programmable attenuator

A simple up-down counter is used to control a programmable attenuator. This controller reduces the load on a minicomputer or other solid state circuitry when the attenuator is used for adaptive testing in psychoacoustics. Circuit diagrams for the controller and an auxiliary display driver are given, and some applications are discussed.     

Distributed primate cognition: a review

A model of "distributed cognition" is contrasted with the "mental representation" model exemplified by Tomasello and Call's Primate Cognition. Rather than using behavior as a basis for inferences to invisible mental events such as intentions, the distributed approach treats communicative interactions as, themselves, directly observable cognitive events. Similar to a Vygotskian approach, this model characterizes cognition as "co-constructed" by the participants. This approach is thus particularly suitable for studying primates (including humans), whose reliance on multiparty negotiations can undermine the researcher's ability to extrapolate from observable outcomes back to individual intentions. Detailed (e.g., frame-by-frame) analyses of such interactions reveal cross-species differences in the relevant media of information flow (e.g., behavioral coordination, relative gaze) as well as in the flexibility and complexity of the trajectories observed. Plus, with its focus on dynamics, the distributed approach is especially useful for modeling developmental and evolutionary processes. In discussing enculturation and the ontogeny of imitation, its emphasis is on changes in how expert and novice participate in such events, rather than how either may represent them. Primate cognitive evolution is seen as involving changes in context sensitivity, multi-tasking, and the coordination of social attention. Humans in particular – in, especially, the context of teaching – are seen as having specialized in linking co-perception with the refined sensory-motor coordination that enables them to translate observed behavior into strategically similar action. Highlighting the continuity between human and nonhuman development, this promising, complementary model enables us to tap the richness of micro-ethology as a cognitive science. Accepted after revision: 7 January 2001 Electronic Publication     

SIMPLE guidelines for developing a computer-based laboratory

Information relevant to setting up a computer-based psychology research laboratory is reviewed. The pros and cons of computer usage and of various hardware configurations are considered. Also, several approaches to program development are discussed. Guidelines for hardware and software development are put forth, and an example of a laboratory based on these principles is described.