Ciencia y tecnología veterinaria

Small Deviations from the Scalar Property and Carry-Over Effects

Abstract

Takayuki Hasegawa and Shogo Sakata

In order to measure the extent to which timing behavior diverges from a scalar property, the authors tested their recently published model of timing behavior [1]. With rats as subjects, peak-interval procedures were performed. For each interval length presented to subjects, the model was used to identify the length of the basic clock period and the weight of the clocks. A carry over effect was observed on the basic clock period, suggesting the uniqueness of the clock (stopwatch) system. Analysis indicated that, when coping with peak-interval procedures of different lengths, the rats changed not only the basic clock period but also the weights of the clocks. It was the changes in the clocks’ weights that led to the observed small deviations from the scalar property, and this also suggested the uniqueness of the clock (stopwatch) system in the range tested in the experiment.