The reliability of behavioural measures obtained in the open-field

Abstract

Seven open‐field measures (defecation, urination, ambulation, washing, rearing, latency, and inner circle activity) were obtained using a number of different scoring methods for albino and hooded rats. The albino Ss were tested on 3 different occasions. The first test session was conducted when Ss were 90 days old, the second test session was held 63 days later and a third test session was conducted 154 days after the second. The hooded rats were subjected to 1 test session when Ss were 90 days old. The reliability of these measures was examined using test‐retest and odd‐even day correlations. The obtained results suggested that defecation, ambulation and rearing can be considered as providing reliable measures of behaviour in the open‐field.