Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Institution
- Publication
- Publication Type
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Behavior and Ethology
Laboratory Rodent Welfare: Thinking Outside The Cage, Jonathan P. Balcombe
Laboratory Rodent Welfare: Thinking Outside The Cage, Jonathan P. Balcombe
Jonathan Balcombe, PhD
This commentary presents the case against housing rats and mice in laboratory cages; the commentary bases its case on their sentience, natural history, and the varied detriments of laboratory conditions. The commentary gives 5 arguments to support this position: (a) rats and mice have a high degree of sentience and can suffer, (b) laboratory environments cause suffering, (c) rats and mice in the wild have discrete behavioral needs, (d) rats and mice bred for many generations in the laboratory retain these needs, and (e) these needs are not met in laboratory cages.
Sub-Aversive Response Contingent Foot Shock As A Positive Reinforcer, Robert Lea Fulwiler
Sub-Aversive Response Contingent Foot Shock As A Positive Reinforcer, Robert Lea Fulwiler
All Master's Theses
Forty-eight rats were divided into 8 groups; four were maintained under normal conditions and the other four under sensory deprivation and tested at o, 3, 6, and 9 days after condition institution. The response was placing the head through a hole in the operant chamber and the stimulus (0, 1.2, 4, or 12 Vac) was contingent upon the response. Analysis ot variance disclosed significant differences (p<.01) between the deprived and the non-deprived groups at days 6 and 9; and a significant interaction between deprivation condition and time of test. No differences were shown between the stimulus intensities indicating that the stimulus did not have a reinforcing effect.