The Emergence of Non-Match-to-Sample Behavior in the Developing Rat Pup

Between 15 and 18 days of age, rat pups develop an alternation strategy in a spatial non-match-to-sample task. Adapting the rat pups to the apparatus by housing them in it overnight, the difference in behavioral patterns can readily be observed in a single laboratory session. The opportunity of the pups to “nipple attach” to an anesthetized dam serves as the reinforcer. Discussion questions are formulated that encourage students to analyze the behaviors structurally, functionally and developmentally.