A behavioral characterization of the effects of food deprivation on food and nonfood object interaction: an investigation of the information-gathering functions of exploratory behavior.

Previous research has shown that exploratory behavior serves not only to procure food, but also as a means of general information gathering. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the function of exploratory behavior in rats by measuring behavior as they interacted with food and nonfood stimuli under different levels of food deprivation. Rats were food-deprived (0, 24, and 48 h), given free access to an open-field arena, and videotaped for a 20-min test session. The rats' behavior was assessed in a manner that isolated locomotor-, object-, and nonobject-related components. Deprivation did not affect locomotor activity levels; however, a decrease in rearing and propping against the test arena was shown. Rats distinguished between the food and nonfood objects because they attempted to ingest the food but not the nonfood object. Deprivation did result in increased contact with food objects; however, nonfood object interactions were maintained throughout the test session. These results suggest that exploratory behavior is separable from food seeking and functions in acquisition of information relating to multiple aspects of the environment.