Touch screen assays of behavioural flexibility and error characteristics in Eastern grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)

摘要: Behavioural flexibility allows animals to adjust their behaviours according changing environmental demands. Such is frequently assessed by the discrimination–reversal learning task. We examined grey squirrels’ behavioural flexibility, using a simultaneous colour task on touch screen. Squirrels were trained select non-preferred in discrimination phase, and preferred was rewarded subsequent reversal phase. used error rates divide each phase into three stages (perseveration, chance level ‘learned’) response inhibition head-switching during stage. found consistent patterns associated with stage: perseveration stage, at beginning of training squirrels showed comparable latencies correct incorrect stimuli, along low head-switching. They quickly overcame perseveration, typically one blocks. In chance-level both stimuli low, but initial more head-switches than previous This suggests that current reward contingency responding rapidly stimulus, increased attention stimuli. learned stimulus number highest, whereas lowest, differed significantly from latencies. These results suggest allowed minimise errors. also errors ‘learned’ stage related impulsive emission pre-potent or previously responses.