Principles of Learning Laboratory
(PSYC 301L) Winter 2004
Instructor: Isabel Sumaya, Ph.D.
Office: DDH H102
Office Hour: M: 2:00-4:00pm
F: 11:00-12:50pm
Email: isumaya@csub.edu
Phone: 664-2381
Web site: www.csub.edu/~isumaya
___________________________________________________________________
TA: Mr. Patrick Grijalva
Office Hours: TBA
Email:TBA
___________________________________________________________________
Course Hours & Location: Collective Lab: M 4:30 – 5:20pm, DDH F100
Individual Lab Sections: MTWRF DDH H100
Recommended Texts:
Lieberman, David A. (2000). Learning: Behavior and Cognition (3rd ed.). Belmont,
CA.:Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington DC: American Psychological
Association.
Prerequisites: Psyc 300 and 301 (or concurrent Psyc 301 enrollment)
Course Description:
This course focuses on classical and operant conditioning paradigms of animal learning. In this
laboratory, you will have the unique opportunity to apply basic principles and concepts presented in
the Principles of Learning course (Psyc 301) in a live learning organism, specifically, the laboratory
rat. You will learn first hand the concept of shaping (method of successive approximation),
schedules of reinforcements, extinction, and backward chaining of behavior.
Course Structure:
You will meet for one hour a day, five days per week. It is imperative that you arrive on time. Given
the nature of the experimental paradigms, once the session begins for the day the door will be
locked and you will not be allowed to participate for that session.
Course Goals:
1.
Use terminology appropriate to the field of animal learning (equipment identification, and
procedures)
2. Understand the theoretical underpinnings of shaping, schedules of reinforcement, and
extinction
3. Demonstrate proficiency in the handling and care of laboratory rats
4. Appreciate the use of animals and animal models in scientific research
5. Discuss the ability of animals to adapt to their environment through the phenomenon of
learning
6. Analyze and interpret behavioral data and communicate findings (APA formatted papers &
SPSS analysis)
7. Discuss the value of animal care and training
Assignments and points:
Attendance (50 @ 4 pts ea)
Lab write-ups (2@50 pts. ea)
Research Paper
Skinner/Pavlov Paper
Presentation
Tests (2 @ 25 pts ea)
Total
Points
200
100
100
25
25
50
500
Laboratory Policies
Attendance:
For the next 10 weeks, you will be fully responsible for a living organism, a laboratory rat.
Therefore, attendance in the lab is mandatory. You will be awarded 4 points for each lab attended.
For each session that you miss (regardless of excuse), 8 points will be deducted. You are required
to notify the lab (the TA or me via personal communication or a message on my machine) in advance
of your absence. If you miss class without advance notification you will automatically lose 50 points.
Theoretically, during an unknown absence, your animal goes without being fed. Your animal is
your responsibility. There will be no room for error. Additionally, you are responsible for
cleaning the operant chamber after every session; forgetting to do so will cost you 8 points. Note:
It is important that your animal complete daily training and his weight be monitored to ensure
optimal motivation to learn.
Lab Write-Ups/APA paper:
The lab write-ups are based on data generated in your experiments. These write-ups will include
analysis on both an individual basis and a group basis. Prior to each write-up you will receive
detailed instructions as to what is required in each paper. You will be required to keep complete and
accurate recording of data. Data sheets will be provided. It will be your responsible for recording
the data daily. All lab write-ups will adhere to the APA format.
Tests: Two tests will be administered during the quarter. The tests will be based on material
covered in lab lectures (standard equipment knowledge, weight maintenance) and the animal care
and use testing module you will take on the web.
Presentation:
You are required to give a powerpoint presentation at the end of the quarter. This presentation will
be a group effort (groups of 3 students). You can present data you collected (must include a method
and results section) or you can present a presentation on Skinner or Pavlov. It will be your choice as
to what to present. Additionally, regardless of what topic you choose you will be required to give a
short synopsis of your experience in the lab at the end of your presentation.
Lab Policies:
Certain rules will be followed to ensure the safety of the animals and the students and the
protection of lab equipment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Attendance in the lab is required. You must arrive on time. Notify the instructor of any
special circumstances that might affect your attendance. If you think you will have a
problem with attendance, then drop the course. Tardiness and absences will negatively
affect your grade.
No food or drink is allowed in the lab.
Protective clothing and the use of gloves is required for the handling of the animals.
All research procedures must be adhered to carefully and with full attention to detail
Things you may not do:
--Mistreat the animals
--Sabotage or otherwise damage the lab equipment or software
--Falsify data
Please note: Any student who participates in inhumane treatment of the animals, or purposely
damages equipment, or intentionally reports falsified data, will be barred from the laboratory
and receive a grade of F for the course.
Schedule (subject to change)
Week
Topic
1 (1/05)
Lab Lecture: Course Overview-Syllabus - Assignment: Animal Care & Use
Training Module on Web (www.csub.edu/GradStudies/HCUAS) (Test #1 –
Complete Module #1: Policies & Regulations and Module #2: The Rat)
(Need to complete this by 1/09 by 12:00 noon by email)
Lab: No lab for the week
2 (1/12)
Lab Lecture: Magazine Training and Shaping - Assignment: Lab write-up #1
Body Weight Paper
Lab: Equipment Orientation/Handling & Weighing Rats
3 (1/19)
No Lab Lecture (Mr. King’s Day) No lab on Monday
Lab: Magazine Training and Shaping of Rats
4 (1/26)
Lab Lecture: Test #2: Equipment, Animal Handling & Body Weight
Lab: CRF and FR Training
5 (2/02)
Lab Lecture: Assignment: Lab write-up #2 - Shaping Paper
Due: Lab write-up #1
Lab: FR Training
6 (2/09)
Lab Lecture: Schedules of Reinforcement
Lab: Schedules of Reinforcement
7 (2/16)
No Lab Lecture
Lab: Schedules of Reinforcement
Due: Lab write-up #2
Final Paper - Schedules of Reinforcement Paper
8 (2/23)
No Lab Lecture
Lab: Extinction
9 (3/01)
No lab Lecture
Chained Operants – Due: Skinner/Pavlov Paper
10 (3/08)
No Lab Lecture
Lab: Chained Operants -
11 (3/15)
Lab Lecture: Oral Presentations - Final Paper Due- Schedules of
Reinforcement
11(3/17)
Oral Presentations (Final time – Wed. 5:00pm – 7:30)
California State University, Bakersfield
Department of Psychology
Principles of Learning Laboratory Manual
Winter 2004
Welcome to the California State University, Bakersfield, Principles of Learning
Laboratory vivarium (animal housing facility). This laboratory offers you the unique
opportunity to experience animal research first-hand. The vivarium not only houses
rodents for the use of the learning laboratory but also houses all on campus
rodents involved in campus research.
About this Manual
This document is meant to serve as a working manual only and not as a final
statement on the operation of the lab. With this in mind, the final word on any
procedure or situation in the laboratory will be from the professor or the teaching
assistant.
About the Rats
Your animal has been specifically bred for the laboratory setting. The purpose of
breeding animals for the laboratory is to supply researchers with standardized
animals in order to arrive at stable reproducible results in biological and behavioral
experiments. Each of your rats has come from an identical source and has similar
characteristics. In particular, each rat is an outbred (genetically heterogeneous)
male Sprague-Dawley rat (Rattus norvegicus) purchased from the supplier, Harlan,
Sprague Dawley, Inc., U.S.A. Each rat is Albino in coat color and is male. Initiated
by R. Dawley, Sprague-Dawley Company, Madison, Wisconsin, in 1925, a hooded male
(of unknown origin) was mated to a white female (of the Douredoure strain,
probably from the Wistar) and subsequently to his white female offspring for
seven successive generations. In 1980, Harlan purchased the former SpragueDawley company. It is important to note that the rats, through selective breeding
during the first half of the 20th century, were specifically bred to be docile and
easily handled by humans. Even still, it is still important to follow some guidelines
when handling the animals.
How to Handle the Animals
Before handling a rat or placing your hand near the lid of the cage, remove the
cage from the rack and place it on the counter. Then, while pressing against the
front of the cage with your left hand, use your right hand to pull the metal clip off
the cage top from underneath the plastic holders of the cage. You should now be
able to lift the lid off of the cage. After you do this, place the lid to the side of
the cage on the counter. Using your preferred hand, reach into the cage. With the
tail of the rat toward the pinky finger region of your hand and the head toward
the thumb/index finger region, place your hand on the back of the rat and gently
curl your fingers around one side and your thumb around the other side of the rat.
Your grip should not be so strong as to restrict breathing and potentially set off
defensive behavior, yet should be strong enough so that you can support the weight
of the rat. At this point, place the rat between your upper arm and your torso
(underneath your arm pit) with the head toward the back of your arm. Rats prefer
to be in a secure dark place as opposed to being out in the open. Once safely under
your arm, you can now transport your animal to the outer room for placement in the
operant chamber, or most likely, for placement in the tray for weighing. Follow the
same procedures for removal from the chamber or the weigh tray and place the
animal back into his home cage. Although you may have been taught that some
animals can smell fear and react to it, what is more probably is that the animal will
be more reluctant to interact with a hand that randomly approaches and retreats
or is too quick and forceful. Therefore, as a general rule, it is good practice to be
slow and deliberate when handling your animal being neither too forceful nor too
apprehensive.
Safety
Attire
On occasion, your rat will urinate or defecate during handling. In fact, you should
expect this at some point during your time in the lab. With this in mind, you can
either a) wear a protective covering (lab coat etc.,) during the handling of your rat
or b) wear clothes to the lab that you are not concerned about soiling. Additionally,
you will be required to wear gloves. This will protect you from the possibility of
allergic reactions in the present and future.
If you are bitten, first, do not panic. All of our rats are certified non-infected and
are kept under very clean conditions while at CSUB. If the rat has not drawn blood,
gently pick up the animal, return him to your cage, and inform your instructor. If
the animal has drawn blood, return the animal to his cage and inform your
instructor of the incident. At this point you will be directed to thoroughly wash the
affected area with antibacterial soap and will be informed as to any additional
actions to be take.
Operant Conditioning Equipment
There are two primary components to the operant conditioning equipment: the
green outer chamber called the sound attenuating chamber (Coulbourn
Instruments, U.S.A) which serves to reduce outer noise and offers greater control
over the external environment and, the chamber itself (Coulbourn Instruments,
Model # 84022SS). Each operant chamber is equipped with a food trough called
the “magazine”, a bar/lever press, stimulus lights often referred to as cue lights
(green, yellow & red), and a house light. Each chamber is also equipped with a pellet
dispenser (the part with the clear plastic cylinder and lid) also known as the food
hopper which is attached to the outer wall of the chamber. Additionally, each
chamber is equipped with a hand switch serving as the manual control for the
release of food pellets.
Potential Problems with the Equipment
Due to the nature of the equipment (particularly the pellet-delivery system or the
hand switch), some types of problems may occur. For example, jams in the pellet
dispenser can on occasion prevent the food reinforcer from falling into the food
trough. Additionally, the hand switch may not work properly in triggering the
triggering of the reinforcer. In both instances immediately notify the professor or
the teaching assistant.
Policy on Eating/Drinking in the Lab or Vivarium
Because we will be working directly with electronic equipment, and because animals
are present, food or drinks are not allowed in the lab. If you bring these items to
class, please leave them outside the lab on the counter located just outside the lab.
Animal Maintenance – Food
The food the rats receive while in their home cages is a specially formulated diet
which meets all the nutritional requirements for rodents, and is called maintenance
rat chow or a standard lab diet (Purina Rat Chow, U.S.A). The pellet
reinforcements are a more palatable version (Corn Syrup has been added) of the
rats maintenance chow and is manufactured to be of consistent size, weight, and
composition (Research Diets, Inc., New Brunswick, NJ. - Product# PJA/1-00045).
Prior to the start of the laboratory the animals were maintained on an ad libitum
diet. During your time in the lab, your rats will be maintained on 85% of its 100%
body weight.