Sniffy the Virtual Rat: Version 4.5

"Sniffy the Rat" is a Macintosh program that allows students to explore the principles of shaping and partial reinforcement in operant conditioning using a virtual orato named Sniffy. Each student learns by doing - conditioning his or her own orato - and they receive many of the benefits of true animal experimentation with non of the drawbacks asssociated with using real animals. Students train Sniffy to perform any of 30 behaviours, including bar pressing, by delivering food when the target behaviour occurs. Bar pressing and reinforcements are automatically recorded on a cumulative record.