(Work currently being reviewed for publication. has been published!) Building on the pioneering work of B.F. Skinner, our rat basketball court uses lights to act as discriminative stimulus signaling the presence of a positive reinforcer (food pellets). Psychology students are challenged to find the training method that works best for them and their rat! During training, the USB NES controllers are used to activate the light, signaling the presence of a reinforcer (food) for the rat having completed a desired action. Through shaping and various training methods, eventually positive reinforcement is no longer delivered unless the rat scores! Upon scoring, the ball displaces a lever which interrupts the beam of an optical sensor, triggering a scoring event on the raspberry pi, updating the scoreboard and activating the light, after which the student dispenses a reinforcement to the rat.
Simple design and documentation help others recreate the project!
Thorough documentation and the use of readily available components helps make this project accessible to everyone!
Extending beyond the code, this project included 3D design, 3D printing, and electronics. Parts were designed to be easily 3d printed on readily available printers and include features like little overhangs and little to no bridges.