Continuing Orients Following Stimulus Removal in Rana pipiens: The Second Jump Toward an Information Processing Model
Date
1990
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Advisor
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Haverford College. Department of Psychology
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Haverford users only
Terms of Use
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
This paper examines the collapse of reflex explanations for simple animal behaviors and the emergence of interactive information processing models. To this end, a new study is presented which examines the reorienting phenomenon reported in Egnor (1990). Lesioned frogs were shown prey stimuli at varying angles and responded with a characteristic undershooting of the target. During this initial response, the prey was removed and movements during the subsequent two minutes were observed. Three of four animals ended up at locations not significantly different from the target after two minutes. The frogs were found to calculate the angular distance left to the target and respond appropriately to this spatial difference. The possible use of elevation and linear distance information in this calculation is also discussed. Implications for further research and reinterpretations of past studies are considered.