Comparison of exploratory behavior of male and female woodlice (Armadillidium vulgare)

There are several studies in the literature showing that male and female rats explore novel environments and exhibit different exploration patterns when submitted to different apparatuses. In general, female rats spend more time moving and exploring the apparatuses than males do. A previous study showed that male woodlice (Armadillidium vulgare) explore novel environments in a very similar way to male rats (Rattus norvegicus) when tested in apparatuses analogous to the open-field test and light/dark box. Since that study was conducted only with male rats and woodlice, and since they exhibited very similar patterns of behavior, the present experiment aimed at investigating whether male and female woodlice explore novel environments with different behavioral patterns. Female and male woodlice were tested in the open-field and in the dry/moist box. Results obtained in the open-field test showed that both males and females remained longer in the corners than along the walls and avoided staying in the center. However, females remained longer along the walls and less in the corners. In the dry/moist box, there were no significant differences between the sexes: both females and males remained significantly longer in the moist compartment.

Premiar la cientificidad: a propósito de los premios LURAP en Cuba / Rewarding scientificity: on purpose of the LURAP awards in Cuba

RESUMEN Los premios LURAP, creados por la American Physiological Society, constituyen una iniciativa establecida en Cuba y otros países que tienen miembros en esa sociedad. Ellos pueden nominar anualmente un estudiante de la carrera de Medicina para este premio. El Laboratorio Central de Líquido Cefalorraquídeo es una entidad de ciencia, técnica e innovación que pertenece a la Facultad "Miguel Enríquez" de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana; se distingue por su producción científica, allí los alumnos constituyen una parte importante de los logros investigativos que exhibe esta entidad de ciencia y técnica, a lo cual ha contribuido el estímulo que representa obtener el premio LURAP (Local Undergraduate Research Award in Physiology) que otorga internacionalmente la mencionada sociedad.

ABSTRACT The LURAP awards, created by the American Physiological Society, constitute an initiative established in Cuba and other countries that have members in that society. They can annually nominate a medical student for this award. The Central Laboratory of Cerebrospinal Fluid is an entity of science, technique and innovation that belongs to the "Miguel Enríquez" Faculty of Havana University of Medical Sciences; it´s distinguished by its scientific production, there the students constitute an important part of the research achievements exhibited by this science and technique entity, to which the encouragement represented by obtaining the LURAP (Local Undergraduate Research Award in Physiology) award has contributed. It´s internationally granted by the aforementioned company.

Bidirectional genetic selection of behaviors involved in social interaction of Wistar rats

Bidirectional selection is a procedure in which an arbitrary characteristic is chosen as a selection criterion and animals exhibiting more of this characteristic are bred in one group and animals exhibiting less are bred in another group. The procedure is repeated along generations until the selected characteristic becomes stable, resulting in two strains that are opposite in relation to the chosen characteristic. The present study aimed at selectively breeding rats exhibiting either a high or a low tendency to socialize by using the proximity test. We tested male and female Wistar rats in a square open field with a communicating birdcage, separated by a grid, containing a co-specific rat and coupled on the outside. Subjects that remained more time in front of the birdcage, interacting with the co-specific rat were bred in a group considered of high sociability (SOC+). Likewise, subjects that remained little time in front of the birdcage, with little interaction with the co-specific rat, were bred in a second group considered of low sociability (SOC-). By the 10th generation, the bidirectional selection resulted in SOC+ rats that spent a large amount of time in front of the cage sniffing and rearing in interaction with the co-specific rat and spent less time in the corners, exploring and grooming. It also resulted in SOC- rats that spent a small amount of time in front of the cage sniffing and rearing in interaction with the co-specific rat and spent more time in the corners and used most of their time grooming.

Comparison of female and male behavior in the elevated gradient of aversion

The elevated gradient of aversion (EGA) is an apparatus for investigating the exploratory behavior of rats in 3-min sessions, consisting of three different sections of the same size: tunnel, closed arm, and open arm. Factorial analyses have defined three factors: exploration, impulsivity, and self-protection. In general, male rats are placed in the tunnel end and tend to hesitate leaving this starting point. Then, they hesitate leaving the tunnel and entering the closed arm, which they explore and tend to avoid entering the open arm or even just stick their head in and not enter it at all. Since females were not used for this test and are reported to be more explorative than male rats, the present work aimed to compare the behavior of male and female rats in the EGA. Thirty male and 34 female Wistar rats were submitted to 3-min sessions in the EGA. In general, results indicated that females were different from males: they explored more (Factor 1 - Exploration), are more impulsive (Factor 2 - Impulsivity), and are less anxious/fearful (Factor 3 - Self-protection). These results confirmed the results of other studies obtained with other apparatuses and show that females exhibit higher locomotion than males and are less anxious/fearful.

Characteristics of exploratory behavior in high risk autism spectrum disorder infants / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To compare the differences in exploratory behaviors between infants with high-risk autism spectrum disorder (HR-ASD) and normal development (TD) infants, and to explore the relationship between exploratory behaviors and the severity of ASD symptoms.Methods:A total of 31 infants aged 6-23 months with HR-ASD in the Pediatric Clinic, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2019 to August 2020 were retrospectively recruited in the HR-ASD group, and 37 TD infants aged from 6 to 23 months in Nanjing were selected as the TD group.The development level of the 2 groups was evaluated by Gesell development scale, and the depth and breadth of exploratory behaviors were measured in free play.Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) was used to evaluate the severity of ASD symptoms in HR-ASD group.Differences in exploratory behaviors between the 2 groups were analyzed by the independent sample t-test and Chi- square test. Pearson′ s correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlation between exploratory behaviors and symptom severity in HR-ASD group.Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the discrimination efficiency of sexual behavior in the 2 groups. Results:Compared with TD group, the depth and breadth of exploratory behaviors in HR-ASD group were significantly lower (55.06±25.73 vs.132.78±44.69, 4.42±2.20 vs.8.78±3.28)( t=-8.95, -6.53, all P<0.01), and atypical exploratory behavior and avoidance withdrawal behavior were significantly worse [18 cases(58.06%) vs.6 cases(16.22%), 10 cases(32.26%) vs.3 cases(8.11%)]( χ2=15.30, 6.36, all P<0.05). Significant differences in the frequency and duration of object exploration, environmental exploration and social exploration were detected between HR-ASD group and TD group (3 vs. 0 vs. 0, 45 vs. 0 vs. 0)(all P<0.01). Pearson correlation analysis showed that, the frequency of object exploratory behavior was positively correlated with the dimension of ADOS in HR-AD group ( r=0.40, P<0.05); while the duration of object exploratory behavior, the complexity of object explo-ratory behavior and the depth of exploratory behavior were negatively correlated with CARS score ( r=-0.45, -0.47, -0.42, all P<0.05). The depth of exploratory behavior was negatively correlated with the stereotyped dimension of ADOS ( r=-0.40, P<0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the depth of exploratory behavior had a discrimination effect ( P<0.01). Conclusions:The characteristics of exploratory behaviors in HR-ASD infants are abnormal, especially the distinguishing effect on the depth of exploratory behaviors, which can be used as a candidate behavioral index for early screening of ASD.

El proceso investigativo desde una mirada cuestionadora, problematizadora y dialéctica / The research process from a questioning, problematizing and dialectical perspective

RESUMEN Introducción: la investigación resulta un proceso complejo si las personas que la realizan son maestros noveles que intentan dar solución a problemas identificados en su práctica pedagógica. Objetivo: analizar desde una mirada problematizadora y dialéctica el proceso investigativo tomando como referencia "los seis humildes sirvientes" de Rudyard Kipling. Métodos: se presenta el resultado de la experiencia de las autoras obtenido a través de su participación en eventos, discusiones, debates científicos, asesoría de tesis de maestrías y tribunales en defensa de doctorados. Se consultaron textos de Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), de donde se seleccionó el analizado, artículos elaborados por las autoras y publicados en revistas internacionales; además de otras fuentes impresas y digitalizadas de pertinencia con el tema, utilizando buscadores reconocidos. Desarrollo: se enfatiza en la necesidad de enfrentar el proceso investigativo desde el inicio con una actitud cuestionadora que encamine un proceso de problematización desde la práctica y la teoría. Las autoras se apoyan en las seis preguntas básicas formuladas por Kipling quien, aunque no las formuló con el propósito de orientar el trabajo de investigación, les atribuyó un valor inapreciable en la adquisición del conocimiento y han sido utilizadas con este fin por diversos autores en disímiles ramas y especialidades. Conclusiones: se demostró la eficacia de aplicar "los seis humildes sirvientes" del escritor inglés Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) al vincularlos con categorías específicas de la investigación y su utilidad para emprender este difícil proceso, sobre todo dirigido a maestros noveles que intentan dar solución a problemas identificados en su práctica pedagógica pero sin experiencia como investigadores.

ABSTRACT Background: researching is a complex process if the people who carry it out are new teachers who try to solve problems identified in their pedagogical practice. Objective: to analyze the researching process from a problem-solving and dialectical perspective, taking as reference "the six humble servants" of Rudyard Kipling. Methods: the result of the experience of the authors obtained through their participation in events, discussions, scientific debates, advice on master´s thesis and examining boards in defense of doctorates is presented. Texts by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) were consulted, from which the analyzed one was selected, articles prepared by the authors and published in international journals; In addition to other printed and electronic sources of relevance to the subject, using recognized search engines. Development: the need to face the researching process from the beginning is emphasized with a questioning attitude that guides a problem-solving process from practice and theory. The authors rely on the six basic questions asked by Kipling who, although he did not ask them for the purpose of guiding the research work, he attributed them an invaluable value in the acquisition of knowledge and they have been used for this purpose by various authors in dissimilar branches and specialties. Conclusions: the effectiveness of applying "the six humble servants" of the English writer Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was demonstrated by linking them to specific categories of research and their usefulness to undertake this difficult process, especially aimed at novice teachers trying to give solution to problems identified in their pedagogical practice but without experience as researchers.

Effects of Touching Sculptures on the Artistic Appreciation of Collative Emotional/Perceptual Properties / Efeitos do Toque em Esculturas sobre a Apreciação Artística de Propriedades Colativas Emocionais/Perceptivas / Efectos del Toque en Esculturas en relación a la Apreciación Artística de las Propiedades Colativas Emocionales/Perceptivas

Abstract The relationship between physical stimulus and perception is fundamental to understand aesthetic appreciation. This study aimed to examine how the properties of sculptures influence their artistic appreciation. Thirteen participants touched altered sculptures from the series Bichos de Lygia Clark. Participants indicated their perceptions for each stimulus using Semantic Differential Scales (7-point Likert scale): Complexity, Irregularity, Amount of pieces, Interest and Pleasingness. The duration of manipulation was recorded. The results showed that sculptures perceived as having more pieces were the ones judged to have a high level of Complexity and Irregularity. Sculptures evaluated as demonstrating a high level of Complexity and Irregularity were considered more interesting, although less pleasant. Participants tended to spend more time exploring the more complex sculptures. The results indicate that the amount of informational content, represented by the amount of pieces present in the sculpture, can influence the way it is perceived and affect its hedonic value.

Resumo A relação entre estímulo físico e percepção é fundamental para entender a apreciação estética. Este estudo teve como objetivo examinar como propriedades de esculturas influenciam suas apreciações artísticas. Treze participantes tocaram esculturas alteradas da série Bichos de Lygia Clark. Os participantes indicaram suas percepções para cada estímulo usando Escalas de Diferencial Semântico (tipo Likert - 7 pontos): Complexidade, Irregularidade, Quantidade de peças, Interesse e Agradabilidade. A duração da manipulação foi registrada. Os resultados mostraram que esculturas julgadas como tendo maior quantidade de peças foram julgadas como tendo alto nível de Complexidade e Irregularidade. Esculturas avaliadas como demonstrando um alto nível de Complexidade e Irregularidade foram consideradas mais interessantes, embora menos agradáveis. Os participantes tenderam a gastar mais tempo explorando as esculturas mais complexas. Os resultados indicam que a quantidade de conteúdo informacional, representado pela quantidade de peças presente na escultura, pode influenciar o modo como ela é percebida e afetar seu valor hedônico.

Resumen La relación entre el estímulo físico y la percepción es esencial para comprender la apreciación estética. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar cómo las propiedades de las esculturas influyen en su apreciación artística. Trece participantes tocaron esculturas alteradas de la serie Bichos de Lygia Clark. Los participantes manifestaron sus percepciones para cada estímulo utilizando Escalas de Diferencial Semántico (de tipo Likert - 7 puntos): Complejidad, Irregularidad, Cantidad de piezas, Interés y Satisfacción. Se registró la duración de la manipulación. Los resultados apuntaron que las esculturas consideradas con más cantidad de piezas tenían un alto grado de Complejidad e Irregularidad. Las esculturas evaluadas con un alto grado de Complejidad e Irregularidad se consideraron más interesantes, aunque menos agradables. Los participantes tendían a pasar más tiempo explorando las esculturas más complejas. Los resultados indican que la cantidad de contenido informativo, representado por la cantidad de piezas presentes en la escultura, puede influir en la forma de percibirla y afectar su valor hedónico.

The elevated gradient of aversion: a new apparatus to study the rat behavior dimensions of anxiety, fear, and impulsivity

Few behavioral tests allow measuring several characteristics and most require training, complex analyses, and/or are time-consuming. We present an apparatus based on rat exploratory behavior. Composed of three different environments, it allows the assessment of more than one behavioral characteristic in a short 3-min session. Factorial analyses have defined three behavioral dimensions, which we named Exploration, Impulsivity, and Self-protection. Behaviors composing the Exploration factor were increased by chlordiazepoxide and apomorphine and decreased by pentylenetetrazole. Behaviors composing the Impulsivity factor were increased by chlordiazepoxide, apomorphine, and both acute and chronic imipramine treatments. Behaviors composing the Self-protection factor were decreased by apomorphine. We submitted Wistar rats to the open-field test, the elevated-plus maze, and to the apparatus we are proposing. Measures related to exploratory behavior in all three tests were correlated. Measures composing the factors Impulsivity and Self-protection did not correlate with any measures from the two standard tests. Also, compared with existing impulsivity tests, the one we proposed did not require previous learning, training, or sophisticated analysis. Exploration measures from our test are as easy to obtain as the ones from other standard tests. Thus, we have proposed an apparatus that measured three different behavioral characteristics, was simple and fast, did not require subjects to be submitted to previous learning or training, was sensitive to drug treatments, and did not require sophisticated data analyses.

Características proteanas e afetos sobre carreira de estudantes de Psicologia / Protean career features and affect in the career of Psychology students

Resumo A presente pesquisa buscou compreender os aspectos proteanos e afetivos relacionados ao projeto de carreira de estudantes universitários do curso de Psicologia, além de explorar como esse projeto pode ser influenciado pelas variáveis comportamento exploratório, personalidade e autoeficácia. O estudo foi realizado com 341 acadêmicos de Psicologia, sendo 156 (45,7%) de uma faculdade privada e 185 (54,3%) de uma universidade pública. Para aferir afetos sobre a carreira desenvolveu-se uma escala, a qual apresentou dois fatores: afetos negativos de carreira e afetos positivos de carreira. Ambos apresentaram índices de confiabilidade alfa de Cronbach superiores a 0,80. As variáveis de personalidade neuroticismo, extroversão, conscienciosidade e abertura a ideias, assim como as de autoeficácia e comportamento exploratório, foram preditivas das características da carreira proteana, a saber: autogerenciamento e direcionamento para valores.

Abstract This study aimed to understand the features of a protean career and the affective aspects related to the career project of undergraduate Psychology students and to explore how this project can be influenced by exploratory behavior variables, personality, and self-efficacy. The sample was composed of 341 Psychology undergraduate students: 156 (45.7%) from a private college and 185 (54.3%) from a public university. In order to measure affect in career, a scale composed of two factors was developed: negative affect and positive affect in career. Both factors showed Cronbach's alpha coefficient greater than 0.80. The personality variables neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness, as well as self-efficacy and exploratory behavior, were shown to be predictive of the protean career dimensions values-driven orientation and self-directedness.

Relações entre Autoeficácia para Escolha Profissional, Exploração e Indecisão Vocacional / Relationships between Professional Choice Self-Efficacy and Vocational Exploration and Indecision / Relación entre Autoeficácia para Elección de Profesión, Exploración e Indecisión vocacional

O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar as relações entre autoeficácia para escolha profissional, comportamento exploratório e indecisão vocacional. Para tanto, 272 estudantes de ensino médio de uma escola pública do interior de São Paulo responderam em sala de aula três instrumentos de avaliação. Os resultados mostraram correlações positivas entre fracas e moderadas entre autoeficácia e comportamento exploratório. Também verificou-se que autoeficácia é um preditor significativo dos comportamentos de exploração vocacional. Por fim, observou-se que há diferenças com tamanhos de efeito moderado entre grupos com alta e baixa indecisão em relação aos resultados dos outros instrumentos. Os resultados são discutidos à luz da literatura sobre os construtos considerados neste estudo e de suas implicações práticas.

This research aimed the verification of the relation between professional choice self-efficacy, exploratory behavior and vocational indecision. For that, 272 high school students from a public school of the countryside of São Paulo state answered to three scales that evaluated the mentioned constructs inside the classroom. The results showed positive correlations from weak to moderate between self-efficacy and exploratory behavior. It was also verified that self-efficacy is a significant predictor of exploratory behavior. Finally, it was observed that there is moderate effect size difference between groups of high and low indecision related to the results of other evaluated scales. The results are discussed based on the literature of the constructs considered on this research and its practical implications.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar las relaciones entre autoeficacia para la elección profesional, comportamiento exploratorio e indecisión vocacional. Con ese fin, 272 estudiantes de enseñanza media de una escuela pública del interior de São Paulo respondieron en el salón de clases a tres instrumentos de evaluación. Los resultados mostraron correlaciones positivas de débiles a moderadas entre autoeficacia y comportamiento exploratorio. También se verificó que la autoeficacia constituye un predictor significativo del comportamiento exploratorio vocacional. Por último, se observó que existen diferencias con tamaños de efecto moderado entre grupos con alta y baja indecisión con relación a los resultados de los otros instrumentos. Los resultados fueron discutidos a partir de la literatura sobre los constructos abordados en el estudio y considerando sus implicaciones prácticas.

Escalas de exploração vocacional para estudantes de ensino médio / Vocational exploration scales for high school students

A exploração vocacional é essencial para o desenvolvimento vocacional e para as tomadas de decisão vocacionais. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar as propriedades psicométricas de uma versão adaptada para estudantes do ensino médio das Escalas de Exploração Vocacional, que avaliam duas dimensões de exploração vocacional: exploração de si e do ambiente. As escalas foram aplicadas a 436 estudantes de ensino médio (média de idade de 16,3 anos; 55,3 por cento mulheres). Análises de componentes principais revelaram os dois componentes esperados, sugerindo a validade de construto do instrumento. Os índices de fide-dignidade obtidos também foram satisfatórios. Conclui-se que as Escalas de Exploração Vocacional são instrumentos válidos e fidedignos para avaliar exploração vocacional, podendo ser utilizadas em futuras pesquisas.

Vocational exploration is essential to vocational development and for career decision-making. The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of a version of the Vocational Exploration Scales adapted for use with high school students, which evaluate two dimensions of vocational exploration: self-exploration and environmental exploration. The scales were applied to 436 high school students (mean age: 16.3 years; 55.3 percent women). Principal components analyses revealed the two expected components, suggesting the construct validity of the instrument. Reliability indices obtained were also satisfactory. It may be concluded that the Vocational Exploration Scales are valid and reliable instruments for assessing vocational exploration that can be used in future research.

Metassíntese qualitativa: desenvolvimento e contribuições para a prática baseada em evidências / Metasynthesis: development and contribuition for evidence-based practice / Metasíntesis cualitativa: desarrollo y contribuciones para la práctica basada en evidencias

A metassíntese qualitativa é um campo de pesquisa emergente com potencial contribuição para a prática baseada em evidências, apesar das controvérsias de caráter conceitual e metodológico. Na última década, inúmeras publicações têm apontado a relevância deste tipo de estudo e os diferentes métodos para conduzir a síntese de pesquisas qualitativas. O presente artigo é uma sinopse destes aspectos, incluindo as etapas da metassíntese.

Metasynthesis is an emergent technique to synthesize qualitative research findings. Besides conceptual and methodological controversies, methasynthesis has the potential to contribute for evidence-based practice. In the last decade, several publications addressed the relevance of this and other techniques to synthesize qualitative research findings. This paper presents a brief discussion of methasynthesis, including a description of each one of its steps.

La metasíntesis cualitativa es un campo de la investigación emergente con potencial contribución para la práctica basada en evidencias, a pesar de las controversias de carácter conceptual y metodológico. En la última década, innumerables publicaciones han apuntado hacia la relevancia de este tipo de estudio y los diferentes métodos para conducir la síntesis de investigaciones cualitativas. El presente artículo es una sinopsis de estos aspectos, incluyendo las etapas de la metasíntesis.

Comportamento exploratório de bebês nascidos pré-termo em situação de brincar / Comportamiento exploratorio de bebés nacidos pretérmino en situación de jugar / Exploratory behavior of infants born preterm in playing context

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o comportamento exploratório em situação de brincar de 20 bebês nascidos pré-termo com muito baixo peso, aos 10 meses de idade cronológica corrigida, em grupos diferenciados quanto ao risco para problemas de desenvolvimento. A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos, de acordo com o desempenho no Teste de Denver-II, sendo oito bebês em risco de atraso no desenvolvimento (MBPR) e 12 bebês com desenvolvimento normal (MBPN). Foi realizada a observação sistemática da latência de resposta e dos comportamentos exploratórios dos bebês diante de brinquedos padronizados. Os resultados mostraram semelhanças entre os grupos quanto ao tempo de latência de resposta para explorar os brinquedos, a direção do olhar e vocalização. No entanto, os bebês MBPN olharam significativamente mais para a observadora, sorriram mais e permaneceram mais estáveis na posição sentada do que os bebês MBPR, o que facilitou a exploração dos brinquedos.

The exploratory behavior within a playing setting of 20 preterm newborn infants, with low weight at birth, corrected chronological age of 10 months, is evaluated. Infants were organized in groups which were differentiated according to their development risks. The sample was divided into two groups according to the infants' Denver-II Test performance, or rather, 8 infants with delayed development risks (VLBW-R) and 12 infants with normal development (VLBW-N). Systematic observation of infants' response latency and exploratory behaviors with standard toys was carried out. Results showed similarities between the groups with regard to response latency time in toy exploration, gazing direction and vocalization. However, VLBW-N infants looked significantly more at the observer, smiled more and remained more stable in the sitting position than VLBW-R infants. These behaviors facilitated toy exploration.

El presente estudio tiene por objeto evaluar el comportamiento exploratorio en situación de jugar de 20 bebés nacidos pretérmino, a los 10 meses de edad corregida, en grupos diferenciados en cuanto al riesgo para problemas de desarrollo. La muestra se ha dividido en dos grupos, de acuerdo con el desempeño en el Denver-II, con ocho bebés en riesgo de retraso en el desarrollo (MBPR) y 12 bebés con desarrollo normal (MBPN). Se ha realizado la observación sistemática de la latencia de respuesta y de los comportamientos exploratorios de los bebés frente a juguetes. Hubo semejanzas entre los grupos en cuanto al tiempo de latencia de respuesta para explorar los juguetes, la dirección de la mirada y vocalización. Sin embargo, los bebés MBPN miraron más significativamente hacia la observadora, sonrieron más y permanecieron más estables en la posición sentada que los bebés MBPR, lo que facilitó la exploración de los juguetes.

Thigmotactic responses in an open-field

The goal of the present study was to investigate the role of thigmotaxis (the tendency to remain close to vertical surfaces) in rat exploratory behavior in an open-field. Thigmotaxis was investigated in a parametric way, using 24 experimentally adult naive male Wistar rats (210-230 g). Exploratory behavior was studied in an open-field (N = 12) in 5-min sessions and behavior was analyzed in terms of where it occurred: in areas surrounded by two, one, or no walls. Another group of rats (N = 12) was studied in an open-field with blocks placed near two of the corners so as to make these corner areas surrounded by three walls. The floor of the open-fields was divided into 20-cm squares in order to locate the exact place of occurrence of each behavior. The following behaviors were recorded: entries into the squares, rearings, and groomings. In both types of open-field the rats chose to remain longer in the squares surrounded by the largest possible number of walls. In one of the open-fields, the mean time (seconds) spent in squares surrounded by two walls was longer than the time spent in squares surrounded by one or no walls (37.2, 7.7, and 1.8 s, respectively). In the other open-field, the mean time spent in squares surrounded by three walls was longer than the time spent in squares surrounded by two, one or no walls (41.7, 20.4, 7.0, and 2.6 s, respectively). Other measures presented a similar profile. These results indicate that rats are sensitive to the number of walls in an environment and prefer to remain close to them.