Rosenzweig, Bennet, & Diamond (1972)

Design Type

Lab experiment

Topic

Neuroplasticty

Aim

To investigate whether environmental stimulator (enriched vs impoverished conditions) affects neuroplasticity and brain development, particularly in the cerebral cortex

Sample

Male rats, 3 rats per cage in control, 1 rpc in impoverished conditions, 10-12 rpc in enriched conditions w/toys and social interaction.

Procedure

- Rats were randomly assigned to one of the 3 conditions

- All groups had free access to food and water

- Rats spent 30 to 60 days in their assigned environments

-After the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed to examine neuroanatomical changes, especially in the cerebral cortex.

Findings

- Rats in EC showed: thicker and heavier celebral cortices, improved neural activity, especially in areas related to the neurotransmitter acetycholine, which supports learning and memory.

-Rats in IC showed less cortical development

Strengths

- Replicable

-Ethically correct; its animals

Limitations

- Low generalizability