The effect of age at which enrichment is commenced on the test performance of the white rat

Pace, Anthony Michael

The effect of age at which enrichment is commenced on the test performance of the white rat

Master Thesis

1977

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Psychology

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

Clarke (1968) hypothesised that the duration of the effect of early experience on behaviour would depend partly upon the potency and length of the experience and partly on age at application of this experience, but particularly on the amount and duration of subsequent reinforcement of the experience. He argued that later enrichment could reduce the effects of early sensory deprivation on the behaviour of the animal. This thesis investigates whether animals show equal effects of enrichment after longer periods of deprivation. or whether the effects of deprivation are irreversible. The thesis also investigates whether a critical period for enrichment is in operation in the juvenile phase of a rat's life. Results indicate that no critical period is in operation, and that animals show equal effects-of enrichment irrespective of the age at which they are enriched and irrespective of longer periods of deprivation.

Description

Bibliography: leaf 123-133.

Keywords

Psychology

Reference:

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Masters

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