Anger, D. & Schachtman, T.R. (2007).
A sensitive, reliable inexpensive touch detector.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 87, 151-153.
Research in our laboratory required a sensitive, reliable, inexpensive touch detector for use with rats to
test the reinforcement of inhibition (e.g., Anger, 1983). A small touch detector was also desirable so that
the detector could be mounted on the rat’s cage close to the object being touched by the rat, whose touches
in turn were being detected by current passing through the animal, thereby reducing the influence of other
signals. A detector was desired that would detect several hundred MO, and directly operate a multipole relay.
Earlier attempts to develop such a detector used seven transistors, but those units became unreliable due to
transistor failure. It seemed desirable to minimize the number of components.
Key words: touch detector, rats, reinforcement of inhibition