Two improved electronic circuits are described for measuring in small time units activity which produces electrical contact with very slight current. Test results obtained with white rats in a stabilimeter cage show valid relationships with observational criteria. Analysis of behavior patterns exhibited supports the concept of general activity when it is properly defined in a given situation.
References
1.
BindraD.BlondJ.A time-sample method of measuring general activity and its components. Canad. J. Psychol., 1958, 12, 74–76.
2.
BindraD.SpinnerN.Response to different degrees of novelty: The incidence of various activities. J. exp. Anal. Behav., 1958, 1, 341–350.
3.
BollesR. C.Theory of motivation. New York: Harper & Row, 1967.
4.
BollesR. C.SandersG. H.What does the ultrasonic activity recording device measure?Behav. Res. Methods & Instrument., 1969, 1, 180–182.
5.
NewburyE.Automatic measurement of general activity in time-units. Amer. J. Psychol., 1956, 69, 655–659.
6.
SiegelS.Nonparametric statistics for the behavioral sciences. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1956.