Launch the CyberRat program

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Launch the CyberRat program.

Choose a rat from the colony that is naive, no training, and select this rat for a session

1. Set experimental parameters. Some are accessible from the upper left menu button and some are in the lower right area of the screen:
   • Reinforcement Schedule: Manual Reinforcement/Bar Reinforcement Off
   • Shaping during this session: No
   • Simulation Mode: Video Simulation
   • Session's Duration: 30 minutes
   • Session's Duration: Manual Termination Allowed
2. Start the experiment.
3. Position your cursor over the "Reinforcement" bar at bottom center. Every time you left-click a drop of water will be delivered from the water dipper. Simultaneously, the rat will hear the sound of the dipper clicking. If your computer is properly prepared, you will also hear a sound every time the water dipper operates.
   Wait until the rat's nose is pointed toward the dipper and the rat is close enough that if water is delivered, the rat is extremely likely to smell and see the water and, thus, drink it. It's best to deliver a drop when the rat's nose is actually inside the dipper area.
   As soon as the rat seems to have finished licking up the first drop, deliver another one, being careful not to wet its nose while it's still drinking, since this could be aversive.
   While the rat has its head inside the dipper area, give additional reinforcers when you observe movements suggesting that the rat is about to withdraw its head from the dipper area. Try for 15-20 successive times.
   Then withhold drops briefly and watch for the rat to move slightly away from the dipper. When the rat is one or two steps away from the dipper, deliver a drop and wait until the rat consumes it. Repeat this a few times.
   Then wait until the rat gets further and further away before delivering water. Allow the rat to go to all areas of the chamber; you don't want to deliver reinforcers only when the rat goes to a certain area.
   When the rat will return to the dipper from anywhere in the chamber whenever it hears the click, dipper training has been accomplished. If you get to this point before the 30-minute session has expired, you can manually terminate the session. If you need more than 30 minutes to get to this point, repeat this exercise with the same rat.
4. Save the session and mark it as "Assignment Completed."
5. Complete the Lab Report Form and be sure to save it.

Reminder: The Lab Report will give you practice writing reports. Please be sure your writing follows a formal style of writing. The Application Section of the Lab Report should be about two paragraphs. Remember that a paragraph is at least three sentences. This section should include key vocabulary that you have learned up to this point to show how you are applying the concepts you have learned.

 

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