Postweaning Experiences and Emotional Responsiveness
One group of albino rats (N = 22) lived in the stimulating environment of a large cage for 100 days after weaning, while another group (N = 17) lived in standard cages. After testing, the environments of the two groups were reversed for a second period of 100 days, after which the first tests were repeated. The group reared in the large cage from weaning was less disturbed in the open-field test on both occasions. This group also performed better in water maze and sink-escape problems on the first test, but data from the second test could not be meaningfully evaluated. Results were interpreted as being consistent with research of Levine and Denenberg.