Contrasting effects of group housing and isolation on subsequent open field exploration in laboratory rats

Abstract

Female laboratory rats housed in isolation for two weeks were less active in an open field than animals group-housed (three or eight per cage) for the same duration, but these differences were not statistically significant. In a second experiment, female laboratory rats isolated for 24 weeks were significantly less active than animals housed in groups of three, five, or eight for the same period. No significant differences were found when the second experiment was replicated using male rats. © 1969, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.