Una Exploración de las Propiedades Espaciales Desde la Lógica de los Programas de Estímulo

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to explore the effect of varying the spatial distance between the liquid dispenser and the light-lever set on spatial location and response rate in rats. Based on the logic of temporally defined schedules, an experiment was designed in which a spatial property of the stimuli (distance) was manipulated while the temporal properties remained relatively stable. Group 1 was exposed to 3 phases in which the distance between the liquid dispenser and the light-lever set increased. Group 2 was exposed to similar conditions, but the spatial distance decreased as the phases progressed. T cycle length was 30 s and the probability of reinforcement was 1. The reinforcer (water) was delivered at the end of the cycle. The subjects were 8 female Wistar rats. Extended conditioning chambers were used in which the stimulation devices could be placed in different locations. Results showed that rats stayed longer in the zone near the liquid dispenser even after it changed location. Also, the response rate showed low levels for all rats throughout the experiment; however, this was a function of spatial contiguity. Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney U non-parametric tests were used in the statistical analysis. Some spatial properties such as cardinal location or geographic distribution are proposed, which could be studied parametrically and integrated into stimulus schedules.